Meaning & use
defer
Last updated
To put off an action or event to a later time; also, to yield respectfully to someone else's judgment or authority.
See it in a sentence
The committee decided to defer its decision until next month.
On matters of law, she always defers to her attorney's advice.
A note on using this word
Has two distinct senses: deferring a decision (postponing) and deferring to someone (submitting to their judgment).
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To submit to the judgment, opinion, or authority of another person.
I'll defer to your experience on this one.
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