BELATED Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

belated

adjective

bi-ˈlā-təd

Definition of belated

as in delayed

not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time a belated birthday card

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of belated The journey proves a belated act of self-discovery. — John Hopewell, Variety, 17 May 2026 Tonkin marked their first wedding anniversary in a belated Instagram post on Tuesday, May 12. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Seattle receiver Golden Tate, after pushing off on the Packers’ Sam Shields (no flag was thrown, naturally), had made what seemed like a belated reach and put a single arm on the ball as Jennings fell to the ground. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026 That’s true historically — Netflix ran a 10K on streaming before Disney could lace up its sneakers, prompting a mad belated frenzy from the Burbank firm to get its own service up and running more than a decade later, in 2019. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated

Adjective

After Tuesday’s practice, Purdy detailed how a delayed throw to Luke Farrell got intercepted by linebacker Del-Shawn Phillips off near the goal line.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
The Real Problem Is The Ripple A delayed flight is easy to detect.

— Ishraq Khan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of delayed

Adjective

Within the first couple of weeks, one student reported that the bus on Route 51 picked up the students late one day, causing everyone to go through the office to get tardy slips for class.

— Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026
Pulitzer-Prize finalist Daniel Mason molds his new novel around Miles Krzelewski, married to a Stanford academic superstar, twelve years tardy on his dissertation.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of tardy

Adjective

The task at hand in this specific moment is a sit-down with this reporter, followed by an overdue meeting with offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to clean out the back of the call sheet.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Leigh carries the legacy narrative, but the film has to prove first that the work is competitive in a year crowded with filmmakers nursing overdue stories of their own.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of overdue

Browse Nearby Words

belabors

belated

belatedly

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“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of belated

adjective

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