deadline
When it's due
A deadline is a time or date by which something must be completed: The deadline for applications is Friday.
Missing a deadline typically brings consequences—a rejected submission, a penalty, lost opportunity.
The word originally referred to a line around a military prison that prisoners crossed at risk of being shot, but this origin has faded from modern awareness.
Deadlines structure work, school, journalism, and bureaucracy: I work better under deadline pressure.
Pressure, mental or vocal
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
overwhelm · countdown · workload · prioritization · productivity · efficiency · focus · motivation
Point of termination
- timelineOrdered display of events
- schedulePlan of timed events
- timeframeDesignated duration for something
- extensionAdded part or duration
milestone · window · time-limit · submission · turnaround · buffer · postponement · deferral
Needing immediate attention
- imminentAbout to occur
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- rushQuick sudden movement
priority · imperative · expedite · accelerate · looming · approaching · tight · eleventh-hour
Bring to completion
- finalLast and decisive
- submitPresent for consideration
- deliverTransport to recipient
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
handoff · sign-off · turnover · finalize · complete · closure · done · ship
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
burnout · overwhelm · countdown · workload · prioritization · productivity · efficiency · focus · motivation · panic
cutoff
Point of termination
- timelineOrdered display of events
- schedulePlan of timed events
- timeframeDesignated duration for something
extension · milestone · window · time-limit · submission · turnaround · buffer · postponement · deferral · pushback
urgent
Needing immediate attention
- imminentAbout to occur
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
rush · priority · imperative · expedite · accelerate · looming · approaching · tight · eleventh-hour · time-sensitive
finish
Bring to completion
wrap-up · handoff · sign-off · turnover · finalize · complete · closure · done · ship
copy
Identical reproduction made
breaking · filing · byline · column · story · scoop · editorial · publication · masthead · galley
touch
Perceiving through physical contact
- to-do listgrocery shopping, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, pay bills
- productivityproductivity, checking off, prioritization, finishing, output
- work termsboss, job, manager, career, company
- Application Processresume, cover letter, interview, reference, background check
- business essentialscomputer, laptop, phone, email, printer
- Business Talkmeeting, agenda, goals, priorities, action plan
deadlineopen-ended
Lacking fixed boundaries
extension · indefinite · no rush · whenever · at your leisure
deadlinestart date
When something officially begins
beginning · commencement · inception · launch date · kickoff
deadlineleisure
Free time for relaxation
relaxation · no pressure · freedom · flexibility · breathing room
- tight deadlineImminent due date
- missed deadlineFailing to submit on time
- tax deadlineFinal date for filing
- filing deadlineFinal submission date
- application deadlineFinal date for submissions
- beat the deadline