The first stage in understanding the message is therefore, to suspend or defer judgement until more information becomes available.

On 20 December, Smith spoke to Eisenhower, who deferred judgement until the morning staff meeting.

As opposed to the Kharijites, Murjites advocated the idea of deferred judgement of peoples' belief.

Although Ysandre had deferred judgement on the matter, it was tacitly assumed that the claim would eventually be settled in Severio's favor.