as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time
a belated birthday card
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Use that momentum to start a belated conversation or lead a communication endeavor.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
Middleton's visit to Leicester served as a belated celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival, which took place on Wednesday, March 4.
—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 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
China, meanwhile, is living with the long shadow of its one-child policy, which was eased to a two-child rule in 2016 and then to a three-child policy in 2021 in a belated push to boost births.
—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
Middleton's visit to Leicester served as a belated celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival, which took place on Wednesday, March 4.
—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 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
China, meanwhile, is living with the long shadow of its one-child policy, which was eased to a two-child rule in 2016 and then to a three-child policy in 2021 in a belated push to boost births.
—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated
Adjective
-
The impact is already being felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru’s fishing season.
-
That meant a delayed return to full activities.
Adjective
-
Court records show the lawsuit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court in late May, but it was not announced until Monday.
-
The police department did not release additional information late Monday.
Adjective
-
During one confessional, the model gave Zverev grief for always being tardy.
-
By the main course, most tardy guests have managed to arrive, but not all.
Adjective
-
The amount that's ultimately forgiven depends on factors including the creditor, how delinquent the account is, your financial hardship and your overall debt profile.
-
As if the sudden influx of orders weren't enough, Carmy also has to contend with feuding employees, a delinquent trainee, a distracted pastry chef, a dearth of giardiniera, and a dry Sharpie.
Adjective
-
Jack Dorsey framed the decision as overdue rather than defensive.
-
Thus far, from Toronto to Guadalajara to Arlington, this World Cup is revealing a lot, including Arlington finally developing a spot that is convenient for fans before and after the events to eat, drink and party here was long overdue.
Cite this Entry
“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
