What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suspend
Example
The company decided to suspend production until the safety issues were resolved. [suspend: verb]
Example
The chandelier was suspended from the ceiling with a sturdy chain. [suspended: past participle]
Example
The student was suspended from school for three days due to misconduct. [suspended: adjective]
defer
Example
The meeting was deferred until next week due to scheduling conflicts. [defer: verb]
Example
I will defer to my boss's opinion on this matter since she has more experience. [defer: verb]
Example
The judge decided to defer sentencing until the defendant completed a rehabilitation program. [defer: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suspend is more commonly used than defer in everyday language, especially in the context of work or school. Defer is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal or business settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suspend and defer?
Defer is generally considered more formal than suspend, and is often used in the context of showing respect or yielding to someone else's opinion or authority. Suspend can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in informal contexts.
