Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb defer

2 senses of defer

Sense 1
postpone, prorogue, hold over, put over, table, shelve, set back, defer, remit, put off -- (hold back to a later time; "let's postpone the exam")
       => delay -- (act later than planned, scheduled, or required; "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered")

Sense 2
submit, bow, defer, accede, give in -- (yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure")
       => yield, give in, succumb, knuckle under, buckle under -- (consent reluctantly)