procrastinate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word procrastinate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and loiter. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

When could dally be used to replace procrastinate?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When might delay be a better fit than procrastinate?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of procrastinate?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How are the words loiter and dawdle related as synonyms of procrastinate?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows
children dawdling on their way home from school

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 procrastinate Nearly 33% of Americans procrastinate filing their taxes, according to a survey from real estate company IPX1031, which polled roughly 1,000 U.S. residents in January. Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 People procrastinate, and couples usually have to call, text, or email right before the cutoff date. Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025 Some Americans may be ahead of the game, having filed their returns already with the Internal Revenue Service, while many others may be looking to procrastinate it as long as possible. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025 Third, CFOs’ (non) responses to these eight questions will swiftly inform boards if AI readiness is serious, a passing curiosity or simply procrastinating lip service. Noah Barsky, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate
Verb
  • Broken cross-department collaboration exacerbates inefficiencies, delaying decision-making and execution.
    Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Still, some who have been focused on TCE were surprised that the Trump administration was delaying and reconsidering the recent ban.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Simmons’ attempts to go beyond her associate’s degree were stalled by the demands of raising her young children.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Alibaba’s share price was near record lows, growth was stalling amid intensifying competition, management changes were coming thick and fast, and Beijing was still closely scrutinizing the company.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But, somehow, life finds a way: The seafloor was crawling with critters of all shapes and sizes, from centuries-old sponges and cup corals to octopuses, snails, worms, sea spiders, icefish and even a rare giant phantom jellyfish.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Wright crawled out of the driver’s side door of the vehicle, Chargualaf said.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and dragging hundreds more back to Gaza as hostages.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The man was convicted of dragging the girl into an alley on Glenwood Road near E. 38th St. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and attacking her, cops said.
    Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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