The invention relates to a retarder for cement paste used in petroleum drilling, completion or well cementing operation, which comprises two components. The two components are a multipolymer containing carboxylic acid groups accounting for 60 to 90 portions by weight and an organic phosphonic acid and salts thereof accounting for 10 to 40 portions by weight. The average relative molecular mass of the multipolymer containing carboxylic acid groups is 2,000 to 20,000. The applicable temperature scope of the cement retarder is wide, and the cement retarder can be applied at high temperature, medium and low temperatures. The applicable temperature scope ranges from 30 DEG C to 230 DEG C. The cement retarder can be matched with various additives and is very compatible, which is applicable for oil well cement of various grades. The retarder can resist salt well, which is applicable for fresh water, brine, seawater, concentrated water and so on. The retarder can be widely applied in various shallow holes, moderate-depth holes, deep holes and superdeep holes. An excess amount of retarder is not sensitive in brine and seawater; the construction safety is ensured; the retarder does not adversely affect the strength development of cement.