Delay

31 words & definitions

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