staller
One who delays
A staller is someone who delays or puts off action, often to avoid making a decision or commitment.
The term derives from the verb stall, meaning to stop progress or play for time.
He's such a staller—we've been waiting three weeks for his answer.
In some contexts, particularly sports or games, a staller employs deliberate delay tactics to run out the clock or frustrate opponents.
Obstruction halting movement
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
gridlock · logjam · deadlock · standstill · impasse · blocker · jam · chokepoint
Theft by threat
- postponementDelaying to later
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- waitDelay until later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
suspension · hesitation · lingering · dawdling · loitering · detention · reprieve · respite
Deliberate tactical movement
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- diversionRedirection of attention
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
bluff · decoy · jockeying · smokescreen · subterfuge · evasion · delaying tactic · rope-a-dope
Temporary position marker
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- temporaryLimited in duration
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
holding · makeshift · caretaker · fill-in · pinch-hitter · substitute · backup · understudy
blockage
Obstruction halting movement
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
bottleneck · gridlock · logjam · deadlock · standstill · impasse · blocker · jam · chokepoint · obstruction
holdup
Theft by threat
- postponementDelaying to later
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- waitDelay until later
deferment · suspension · hesitation · lingering · dawdling · loitering · detention · reprieve · respite · stay
maneuver
Deliberate tactical movement
gambit · bluff · decoy · jockeying · smokescreen · subterfuge · evasion · delaying tactic · rope-a-dope · stonewall
placeholder
Temporary position marker
provisional · holding · makeshift · caretaker · fill-in · pinch-hitter · substitute · backup · understudy · locum
- delayersprocrastinator, dawdler, postponer, foot-dragger, time-waster
- obstaclesbarriers, block, obstacles, barrier, blockers
stallerrusher
One who moves hastily
go-getter · fast mover · expediter · hurrier · dynamo
stallerdecider
One who resolves matters
closer · decision-maker · man of action · finisher · executor
- stall outCease functioning abruptly
- stalled outCeased functioning unexpectedly
- bathroom stallEnclosed restroom compartment
- stall for timeDelay through distraction
- stalling for timeDeliberate delay tactics
- produce stallsRetail spots for fruits, vegetables
stall, stalls, stalled, stalling, forestall, forestalls, forestalled, forestalling