play for time

VERB

check

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop

STRONG

baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold

WEAK

cut short hold back hold down hold in keep back nip in the bud rein in slacken pace slow down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist continue encourage help let go

STRONG

abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release

WEAK

expedite indulge liberate

VERB

procrastinate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dawdle hesitate

STRONG

dally drag lag linger loiter pause prolong protract stall stay tarry temporize wait

WEAK

be dilatory defer drag one's feet give the runaround goldbrick hang fire hold off let slide play a waiting game postpone shilly-shally suspend

Antonyms

STRONG

abbreviate advance carry out complete continue do expedite finish forge forward further go hasten help hurry leave persist push rush shorten

WEAK

accelerate go ahead quicken

VERB

stall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

halt hamper hinder interrupt postpone put off slow stay stop suspend

STRONG

arrest brake check die equivocate fence filibuster hedge prevaricate quibble stand still stonewall tarry temporize

WEAK

avoid the issue beat around the bush drag one's feet hold off not move shut down slow down stand off stand still take one's time

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist carry out continue do encourage expedite forward help permit promote push

WEAK

further

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The RFU can play for time all it likes, but this is a mass movement by a stronger, united team," said a spokesperson for the collective.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2025

In some cases, the lawsuits may only be a play for time.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022

“He’s dictating the march. … We could play for time, but he can play for time, too. In a way he’s already playing for time now, stretching out some of these talks” with the West.

From Washington Times • Jan. 24, 2022

After a short meeting on Sunday, diplomats with the bloc said the EU would play for time rather than rush to decide on the delay request.

From Reuters • Oct. 20, 2019

But no feasible plan of escape presented itself, and the boy knew that his only chance was to play for time in hope that something might turn up.

From Connie Morgan in the Fur Country by Hendryx, James B. (James Beardsley)

play for time

Example Sentences

Related Words