put off Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb hold back to a later time
   prorogue; set back; defer; remit; put over; shelve; table; postpone; hold over.
   
   • let's postpone the exam
2. verb cause to feel intense dislike or distaste
   turn off.
   
3. verb take away the enthusiasm of
   dishearten.
   
4. verb cause to feel embarrassment
   disconcert; flurry; confuse.
   
   • The constant attention of the young man confused her
5. verb avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
   dodge; fudge; sidestep; evade; parry; elude; skirt; duck; hedge; circumvent.
   
   • He dodged the issue
   • she skirted the problem
   • They tend to evade their responsibilities
   • he evaded the questions skillfully

WordNet