dilatory
tending to cause delay or to procrastinate
Word origin: From Latin dilatorius, from differre, to postpone.
Dilatory in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing dilatory in a sentence.
The defense used dilatory tactics to push back the trial date.
The defense's dilatory tactics dragged the trial out for months beyond its expected close.
Using “dilatory” well
Dilatory describes a tendency to delay or stall, pairing with tardy and procrastinating. It often implies that the delay is deliberate, as in dilatory tactics.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a scarcity or shortage of something
Questions about “dilatory”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
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