When it comes to the French word "delai," which means "delay" in English, there are numerous synonyms that can be used in its place depending on the context. For instance, you might use "attente" to mean "waiting" or "retard" to mean "lateness." Other options include "procrastination," "postponement," "stalling," and "putting off." In a legal context, "sentence" or "penalty" could also be used. Ultimately, each synonym for "delai" brings something slightly different to the definition, offering greater flexibility in how you choose to express the idea of something or someone being delayed or held up.