procrastination

[proh-kras-tuh-ney-shuh n, pruh‐]

See more synonyms for procrastination on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention: She was smart, but her constant procrastination led her to be late with almost every assignment.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for procrastination

hesitation, procrastination, delay, stoppage, lag, setback, moratorium, postponement, suspension, problem, wait, vacillation, pause, unwillingness, equivocation, reluctance, indecision, misgiving, mistrust, doubt

Examples from the Web for procrastination

Contemporary Examples of procrastination

Procrastination is certainly a problem for many at work and school.
‘Sleep Procrastination’ Is Real, and You Probably Do It
Charlotte Lytton
June 6, 2014
“Stop procrastinating” focuses your brain on procrastination.
The One Simple Behavioral Secret Will Help You Meet Your Life Goals in 2014
Dave Asprey
January 11, 2014
Eder Campuzano: Doing the laundry you put off for two weeks for free is like winning the World Series of procrastination.
A Tale of Thanksgiving Triumph
Michael Daly
November 28, 2013
“The time for procrastination and delay is over,” Kennedy said.
Teddy's Idealism
Adam Clymer
August 26, 2009

Historical Examples of procrastination

He has many noble qualities, but procrastination is his fault.
A Son of Hagar
Sir Hall Caine
My darling, remember what Pilcher said about procrastination.
Dolly Reforming Herself
Henry Arthur Jones
But impetuous Peggy could not be brought to acknowledge that procrastination could ever be wise.
More About Peggy
Mrs G. de Horne Vaizey
Thoughtlessness, carelessness, procrastination—and then it was too late.
Woman
William J. Robinson
There is nothing easier than procrastination if you once give in to it.
Lover or Friend
Rosa Nouchette Carey

Word Origin and History for procrastination

1540s, from Middle French procrastination and directly from Latin procrastinationem (nominative procrastinatio) "a putting off from day to day," noun of action from past participle stem of procrastinare "put off till tomorrow, defer, delay," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + crastinus "belonging to tomorrow," from cras "tomorrow," of unknown origin.