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Showing results for deferred. Search instead for preaverred.
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.

See Examples For:

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever tendered his resignation to King Philippe on Monday over deadlocked budget talks, but the monarch deferred his decision until after a new meeting Friday.

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

In the past, the court has often deferred to prison officials on their handling and treatment of inmates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

You also asked whether payments could be deferred for five or even 10 years.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

Under the U.K. government’s proposal, the SFO would award whistleblowers who provide information that is “both significant and original” and that leads to a successful enforcement action against a company, including a deferred prosecution agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

But my dream had to be deferred, for I learned very quickly of the extensive plans that the ANC had for me, and none of them involved a relaxing journey to the Transkei.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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