Thesaurus

late

Q: How does the adjective 'late' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of late are dead , deceased , defunct , and departed . While all these words mean "devoid of life," late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. // the company's late president

Q: In what contexts can 'dead' take the place of 'late'?

In some situations, the words dead and late are roughly equivalent. However, dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life. // a dead , listless performance

Q: How is 'deceased' related to other words for 'late'?

Deceased , departed , and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use. // the estate of the deceased

Q: When is 'defunct' a more appropriate choice than 'late'?

The synonyms defunct and late are sometimes interchangeable, but defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. // a defunct television series

Q: When could 'departed' be used to replace 'late'?

Although the words departed and late have much in common, departed is used usually as a euphemism. // our departed sister

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of late

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time

I ran as fast as I could, but was still late for class

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Antonyms for late

2 having been such at some previous time

the late musical director said he would never have allowed such behavior while he was in charge

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3 no longer living

our late granduncle remembered us in his will

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extinct

stillborn

Phrases Synonymous with late

bitten the dust

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animated

Antonyms for late

4 being far along in development

late impressionism gave rise to pointillism

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precocious

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late

adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms of late (Entry 2 of 2)

1 after the due, usual, or proper time

she has a habit of arriving late for everything

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2 not long ago

the actress, late of New York but now of Los Angeles, is being eagerly sought for film roles

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latterly

Phrases Synonymous with late

of late

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Antonyms for late

anciently

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Frequently Asked Questions About late

How does the adjective late contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of late are dead, deceased, defunct, and departed. While all these words mean "devoid of life," late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

In what contexts can dead take the place of late?

In some situations, the words dead and late are roughly equivalent. However, dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life.

a dead, listless performance