* Formal: "The committee's dilatory tactics in reviewing the proposal were frustrating to the project team."
* Informal: "I'm tired of their dilatory approach to fixing the problem. We need action, not more excuses."
* Descriptive: "The dilatory pace of the negotiations made it seem like an agreement would never be reached."
* Figurative: "The dilatory progress of the snail made it seem like it would never reach its destination."
Meaning: Dilatory means "intended to delay or postpone something." It suggests a deliberate effort to slow things down, often for a self-serving reason.
Note: "Dilatory" has a slightly negative connotation, implying that the delay is unnecessary or unhelpful.