Definition

Adjective: 1. Causing or intended to cause delay; slow to act: Describes actions, tactics, or people that waste time or are slow to progress. 2. Tending to procrastinate or be tardy: Characterizing a person who habitually puts things off or is late.

Usage

The word "dilatory" is formal and is typically used to describe actions, strategies, or behavior that are unnecessarily slow, especially in legal, official, or procedural contexts. It often carries a negative connotation of intentional or negligent delay.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company used dilatory tactics to postpone the lawsuit.
  • Her dilatory habits meant she was always the last to submit her report.
  • The committee criticized the dilatory pace of the negotiations.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: In law, a "dilatory plea" or "dilatory motion" is one intended to cause delay in the proceedings without addressing the merits of the case.
  • The defense attorney filed a dilatory motion to buy more time.

Variants and Related Words

• Dilatoriness (noun): The quality of being dilatory; tardiness.
  • The project's failure was due to the manager's dilatoriness.

Synonyms

• Procrastinating
• Tardy
• Slow
• Delaying
• Sluggish

Antonyms

• Prompt
• Punctual
• Expeditious
• Swift

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Dilatory tactics: Strategies specifically designed to waste time or cause delay.
  • The union accused management of using dilatory tactics during the contract talks.

Adjective

1. wasting time