All words

defer

Meaning

to put off to a later time; to allow the opinion or wishes of another to direct one's course of action.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

He wanted to go out, but I felt so tired. I didn't want to argue, so I decided to defer to his plan, even though I'd rather stay in. We'll go tomorrow instead.

She wanted to start the orbital repair immediately, but the captain, worn down by the asteroid storm, asked her to defer the work until he'd rested. She felt a surge of frustration, but his weary plea made her agree to put it off.

He wanted to start the bioluminescent spore cultivation immediately, but Maya insisted they defer to the lunar cycle, her research showing it was vital for proper growth. He sighed, agreeing to wait, wanting her to feel confident in their shared project.

I wanted to tell my boss my brilliant idea, but then I saw he was juggling three coffee cups and a stapler. So, I decided to defer my grand announcement. Maybe tomorrow, after the stapler incident is properly investigated.

My pet sentient tumbleweed, Bartholomew, insisted we defer our trip to the moon to observe the mating dance of the polka-dotted space slugs. He's usually right about intergalactic wildlife, so I'll defer to his superior knowledge, even if it means more dust bunnies and less moon cheese for me.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

He wanted to go to the concert, but his best friend was sick and needed him. He decided to defer his own plans, putting his friend's needs first. It wasn't what he wanted, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

The expedition leader wanted to push forward, but the elder, whose knowledge of the ancient texts was unmatched, advised caution. After a tense silence, the leader nodded, deciding to defer to her wisdom and plan for the next lunar cycle instead of risking a rushed, potentially fatal, encounter with the spectral guardians.

The aspiring beekeeper, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of regulations, had to defer his plans for a rooftop apiary. His landlord insisted on a lengthy permit process, and rather than argue, he decided to wait, letting the landlord's demands guide his next steps.

Bartholomew, faced with the daunting task of assembling his new bookshelf, decided to defer the job until tomorrow, then the next day, and eventually, indefinitely. His cat, however, insisted on a vigorous play session *now*, so Bartholomew, ever a pushover, gladly deferred his ambition for a nap.

Bartholomew, facing the terrifying possibility of polka-dot socks, decided to defer his laundry decision until the next geological epoch. He’d rather face a stampede of sentient teacups than choose between plaid and stripes today. His wife, bless her patient soul, just rolled her eyes and offered him a clean pair of sensible beige.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

He wanted to start the project immediately, but his partner felt overwhelmed. To maintain harmony, he decided to defer his own eagerness, allowing her more time to prepare before they began the complex task.

The expedition leader, exhausted and injured, felt the crew's growing unrest. He wanted to press on, but their desperate pleas to defer their ascent until the storm passed were too strong to ignore. Their safety outweighed his ambition, a difficult but necessary compromise.

He hated waiting, but seeing his sister's desperate plea, he had to defer his own urgent need for the last ration. Her hunger gnawed at him more than his own, so he'd let her take it, his stomach growling its silent protest.

Geraldine, a woman whose opinions were typically as unyielding as petrified marmalade, decided to defer to her poodle's judgment on dinner. Bartholomew, sensing a prime opportunity, promptly requested a steak tartare and a side of caviar, which Geraldine, much to her consternation, was obligated to procure.

Barnaby, a notoriously indecisive badger, found himself staring at two remarkably similar-looking, yet strangely captivating, artisanal cheese wheels. His companion, a badger of significantly more resolve and impeccable taste, suggested the gouda. Barnaby, perpetually wanting to avoid confrontation, decided to defer to his friend’s discerning palate, secretly hoping they’d both regret the decision later.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

The manager, despite his own pressing concerns, decided to defer his decision on the new proposal. He respected the junior associate's evident passion and asked them to present again next week, giving them ample time to substantiate their claims.

The appellate judge, accustomed to his own erudition, initially bristled at the opposing counsel's intricate argument concerning the terraforming permits. However, recognizing the counsel's astute points and the potential for a miscarriage of justice if he rushed to judgment, he decided to defer his ruling, granting himself time for circumspect deliberation.

The nascent starfighter pilot, unnerved by the proximity of the nebulae's unpredictable stellar winds, decided to defer his aggressive maneuver, allowing his seasoned wingmate's more cautious trajectory to dictate their approach.

Consternated by the sheer magnitude of household chores, Bartholomew decided to defer his gargantuan laundry mountain until Friday, a decision his perpetually disgruntled cat, Professor Snuggles, tacitly approved. Bartholomew, ever the sycophant to feline whims, would defer to Professor Snuggles' silent, judgmental gaze on all matters, even culinary ones.

The esteemed mycologist, a veritable luminary of fungal morphology, found himself in a quandary. His prodigious research on the phallus impudicus was suddenly interrupted by his landlady's incessant demands for rent, a truly ignoble imposition. He attempted to defer the matter, hoping her avarice would abate, but she proved as obdurate as petrified chanterelles, leaving him with no recourse but to procure more obscure specimens.

Difficulty

Basic — Common words most learners already know.

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