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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

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.

She was deported to Mexico the next day, despite having active deportation protection through the Obama-era program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Deferred compensation plans can help, if workers have access to them, he said.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

She grew up undocumented, and when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program became available, applied to gain work authorization.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

The Dignity Act also creates a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, people who were brought to the U.S. as children—the group that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was designed for.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025

Through storm-cloud and eclipse must move Each Cause and Man, dear to the stars and Jove; Nor always can the wisest tell Deferred fulfillment from the hopeless knell— The struggler from the floundering ne'er-do-well.

From Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War by Melville, Herman