Delay

31 words & definitions

balk
To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.
dally
To do something slowly or too slowly; to waste time
dawdle
To delay by taking more time than necessary
dillydally
To waste time through aimless wandering or indecision
linger
To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave
shirk
To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
laggard
A person who makes slow progress and falls behind others
slacker
A person who avoids work or effort
sloth
Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness
straggler
A person or animal that is last in a group to do something or the last to get to or leave a place
obstacle
Something that blocks your way so that movement or progress is prevented or made more difficult.
limbo
An uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition
hurdle
a problem that you must solve or deal with before you can make progress.
interminable
Endless (often used hyperbolically)
stagnate
Cease developing; become inactive or dull
stagnant
Showing no activity; dull and sluggish
stranded
Unable to leave somewhere because of a problem such as not having any transportation or money
deflect
To direct attention away from a topic
evade
To avoid or escape from someone or something.
backlog
A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done
defuse
To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
procrastinate
To keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.
impasse
A situation where no progress is possible due to disagreement or a deadlock.
logjam
A situation where progress is halted due to a buildup of problems, delays, or obstacles.
restrain
To physically or metaphorically prevent someone or something from moving, acting, or progressing.
restraint
The action of preventing or controlling someone or something or oneself from moving, acting, or progressing
standstill
A halt in activity, usually temporary but total.
hinder
To create difficulties for someone or something that results in a delay.
obstinate
Stubbornly refusing to change one's behavior or ideas
reluctant
Not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it
impediment
Something that makes progress or movement difficult or impossible