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Showing results for deferred. Search instead for deferrer.
Synonyms

deferred

American  
[dih-furd] / dɪˈfɜrd /

adjective

  1. postponed or delayed.

  2. suspended or withheld for or until a certain time or event.

    a deferred payment; deferred taxes.

  3. classified as temporarily exempt from induction into military service.


deferred British  
/ dɪˈfɜːd /

adjective

  1. withheld over a certain period; postponed

    a deferred payment

  2. (of shares) ranking behind other types of shares for dividend

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • undeferred adjective
  • well-deferred adjective

Etymology

Origin of deferred

First recorded in 1645–55; defer 1 + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By comparison, $125 million was “a bargain for the county,” said Govan, “Because they had the liability of ownership of those buildings and the deferred maintenance was extraordinary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Given Arista’s deferred revenue balance of $5.4 billion, the XPO strategy, and expected new large customer wins, revenue growth can exceed guidance for 25% in 2026 and 20% in 2027, the analyst says.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

A deferred repair can become a mortgage default risk if a homeowner can no longer meet a lender’s insurance requirements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

However, Mosley deferred to individual militaries when challenged by the BBC on the risk of time-pressured commanders ordering their officers to take Maven's output as being rubber-stamped.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

If that time was missed, the prayer had to be deferred until the sun was beyond the horizon.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey