delay
Wait before proceeding
Delay is the time between when something should happen and when it actually does, or the act of causing that gap.
A flight delay pushes back departure.
To delay is to postpone or slow something down: We delayed the meeting until Thursday.
Don't delay—act now!
A delay can be intentional strategy or unavoidable obstacle: construction delays, without delay.
Block or hinder passage
- impedeTo obstruct movement
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
- hinderObstruct or delay
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
block · thwart · stymie · derail · bottleneck · setback · holdup · snag
Delay until later
- patienceCalm during delays
- queueOrdered waiting line
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
- holdMaintain in grasp
limbo · suspense · anticipation · expectation · countdown · pending · abeyance · interim
Delay or submit
- rescheduleAssign a different time
- postponeDelay to later time
- adjournTemporarily halt proceedings
- suspendHalt or hang temporarily
shelve · table · put off · stay · prorogue · recess · mothball · rain check
Period of falling behind
- latencyDelay in system response
- bufferingTemporary data accumulation
- pingBrief metallic tone
- jitterSmall, rapid variation
response time · milliseconds · loading · sync · real-time · throughput · packet loss · processing time
Movement along routes
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- crawlMove slowly, low
- snarlHostile vocal threat
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
backup · jam · sluggish · drag · dawdle · linger · tarry · deceleration
Stay beyond necessity
- dallyLoiter without purpose
- loiterRemain idly in place
- dawdleLinger without purpose
- tarryDelay one's leaving
hesitate · procrastinate · drag feet · take time · unhurried · leisurely · prolonged · drawn-out
Delaying tactic through speech
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- obstructionismDeliberate impeding of progress
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- talkathonProlonged speaking session
obstruct
Block or hinder passage
stall · block · thwart · stymie · derail · bottleneck · setback · holdup · snag · complication
wait
Delay until later
hold · limbo · suspense · anticipation · expectation · countdown · pending · abeyance · interim · interlude
defer
Delay or submit
- rescheduleAssign a different time
- postponeDelay to later time
- adjournTemporarily halt proceedings
suspend · shelve · table · put off · stay · prorogue · recess · mothball · rain check · hold off
lag
Period of falling behind
jitter · response time · milliseconds · loading · sync · real-time · throughput · packet loss · processing time · round-trip
traffic
Movement along routes
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- crawlMove slowly, low
- snarlHostile vocal threat
gridlock · backup · jam · sluggish · drag · dawdle · linger · tarry · deceleration · slowdown
linger
Stay beyond necessity
tarry · hesitate · procrastinate · drag feet · take time · unhurried · leisurely · prolonged · drawn-out · protracted
filibuster
Delaying tactic through speech
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- obstructionismDeliberate impeding of progress
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- Air Travelboarding, airline, flight attendants, takeoff, landing
- airport termstakeoff, passport control, security, boarding pass, gate
- bureaucracybureaucracy, bureaucrat, bureaucrats, red tape, civil service
- public transitbus, train, subway, metro, tram
- train termsall aboard, engine, departure time, arrival time, passenger car
- train traveltrain, railway, fare, tracks, rail
delayadvance
Move or progress forward
bring forward · move up · prepone · anticipate · push forward
delaypromptness
Timeliness as habit
instantly · immediately · promptly · straightaway · at once
- without delayOccurring at once
- developmental delaysSlower than typical progression
- rain delayStorm-caused game suspension
- tape delayBuffered transmission pause
- flight delayPostponed aircraft departure
- delayed flightPostponed aircraft departure
delayed, delaying, delays, delayer, delayable, delay tactics