SUSPEND Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'suspend' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suspend are defer , postpone , and stay . While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied. // business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Q: When would 'defer' be a good substitute for 'suspend'?

While the synonyms defer and suspend are close in meaning, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time. // deferred buying a car until spring

Q: When can 'postpone' be used instead of 'suspend'?

Although the words postpone and suspend have much in common, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time. // the game is postponed until Saturday

Q: When might 'stay' be a better fit than 'suspend'?

The synonyms stay and suspend are sometimes interchangeable, but stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority. // the governor stayed the execution

suspend

verb

sə-ˈspend

Definition of suspend

as in to postpone

to bring to a formal close for a period of time the judge suspended the hearing to give the district attorney more time to process evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below suspended a banner proclaiming the town's "Heritage Days" from the archway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suspend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suspend are defer, postpone, and stay. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

When would defer be a good substitute for suspend?

While the synonyms defer and suspend are close in meaning, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When can postpone be used instead of suspend?

Although the words postpone and suspend have much in common, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When might stay be a better fit than suspend?

The synonyms stay and suspend are sometimes interchangeable, but stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of suspend The agreement also suspends for 20 years a potential sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years for attempting to falsify evidence. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 In 2015, she was suspended for a week after a video surfaced of her yelling at and belittling a towing company employee. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 From there, the commission can decide to warn the officers or suspend or revoke their certifications. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 Cornell has suspended fraternity parties for the rest of the year. — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suspend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspend

Verb

Undoubtedly, the biggest blow was the announcement that the kingdom is postponing its flagship investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative, until next year, although no exact date has been set.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Already postponed 24 hours, the invasion proceeded in the face of rough seas, strong winds, and low visibility in order to seize a small window in time of enormous consequence.

— Marc E. Andersen, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

That way, the shoulder stitching wouldn’t hang below his shoulder and his pants wouldn’t drag on the ground.

— Souvankham Thammavongsa, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Aside from briefly losing the seat for one term nearly a decade ago, Valadao has hung onto the seat.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of hang

Verb

In January 2024, a landslide above the railroad sent soil and debris crashing onto the tracks at Mariposa Point, destroying the city’s pedestrian bridge and beach trail and temporarily interrupting rail service.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
But other analysts say that crime is following a long-time downward trend that was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrupt

Verb

The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left.

— Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

The Legislature already adjourned for the year, so any actions to address some of the concerns raised Wednesday won’t be acted on until next year.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Two other board members subsequently walked out, leaving the board without a quorum and forcing the meeting to adjourn.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of adjourn

Browse Nearby Words

suspects

suspend

suspended

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Style

“Suspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspend. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suspend

verb

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