deferral

noun

de·​fer·​ral di-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce deferral (audio)
Synonyms of deferralnext
: the act of delaying : postponement

Examples of deferral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the most money committed to their roster, but in terms of the 2026 payrolls, the Mets are tops in the league due to the Dodgers' deferrals. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026 Kennedy has said that the campaign is aimed at preventing improper payments instead of recovering them after the fact, with the Administration increasingly using payment deferrals and pre-payment reviews of Medicaid claims. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 July 2026 The deferrals are pauses, not permanent cuts, and do not affect benefits or eligibility. — Ahmed Aboulenein, USA Today, 21 July 2026 The deal, which contains no options or deferrals, is the largest ever given to a pitcher with less than four years of MLB service time, according to the source, who was granted anonymity to discuss the negotiations. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deferral

Word History

Etymology

defer entry 1 + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deferral was in 1865

Rhymes for deferral

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Browse Nearby Words

deferrable
deferral
deferred
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Cite this Entry

“Deferral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferral. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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