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
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Recent Examples of belated
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
Joy speaks at length about growing up in a culturally sophisticated yet oppressive family and holding her artistic temperament in check, before achieving a belated liberation.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Then, at the end of the episode, Slightly pulls Arthur’s body into a ventilation shaft, in what could be a belated act of regret or an attempt to preserve a Xenomorph host body before any other aliens can eat it.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Scrambling to recall a few staff and issue some belated funding is just window dressing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Joy speaks at length about growing up in a culturally sophisticated yet oppressive family and holding her artistic temperament in check, before achieving a belated liberation.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Then, at the end of the episode, Slightly pulls Arthur’s body into a ventilation shaft, in what could be a belated act of regret or an attempt to preserve a Xenomorph host body before any other aliens can eat it.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Scrambling to recall a few staff and issue some belated funding is just window dressing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated
Adjective
-
The combination of the chiming, delayed guitar, twiddly ‘80s synths, weird time signatures and Fish’s unique lyrics and vocal delivery all added up to a very intriguing listen.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
-
What started as a delayed flight out of Atlanta quickly turned into a federal case.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Park Hyatt Beijing welcomes many business travelers, and the easy-access power and latest USB outlets show the renovation’s attention to detail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Look to the spinal cord of the team up the middle, from goalkeepers Mia Justus (who picked up an injury in late April) and the USWNT’s Mandy McGlynn to center back Kate Del Fava, Narumi Miura and Mina Tanaka in the center of the park, and Paige Cronin up top.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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By the main course, most tardy guests have managed to arrive, but not all.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Kim Zolciak-Biermann's second daughter wasn't tardy for her party — her romantic photoshoto was practically the main event.—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Data the city provided to the Miami Herald shows that fewer than 40 of its over 60,000 water and sewer accounts are delinquent by more than 120 days, according to the Public Works Department.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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In a typical year, the bureau may refer $9 million to $12 million in delinquent accounts for collection — revenue that the audit said was put at serious risk.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Even so, the coincidence feels like an anointing, long overdue for someone who has spent decades in just about every beloved franchise, quietly establishing himself as the most important—or at least prolific—person in genre entertainment.—
James Grebey,
Time,
8 May 2026
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The overdue funds were eventually restored, but the dispute highlights the challenges faced as funding remains precarious and politics threatens long-term investments.—
Tom Wright,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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