SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
delayed gratification
noun phrase
Postponing an immediate pleasure or reward in order to obtain a more valued benefit later.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Waiting for a later benefit
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topA deferred reward is the benefit received later; delayed gratification is the choice to wait for it.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See delayed gratification in use
Saving for a useful reference book instead of making an impulsive purchase was an exercise in delayed gratification.
Nina practiced delayed gratification by postponing an afternoon game so she could finish the costume she wanted for a later celebration.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license