late 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlāt How to pronounce late (audio)
Definition of latenext
1
as in delayed
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in former
having been such at some previous time the late musical director said he would never have allowed such behavior while he was in charge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fallen
no longer living our late granduncle remembered us in his will

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in advanced
being far along in development late impressionism gave rise to pointillism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

late

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in later
after the due, usual, or proper time she has a habit of arriving late for everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago the actress, late of New York but now of Los Angeles, is being eagerly sought for film roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 late
Adjective
Adrian Kempe, who leads the Kings in goals (26), assists (32) and points (58), was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. —Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026 George Clooney’s latest business venture is drawing scrutiny as the Hollywood star leans heavily into classic American imagery while building a new life overseas. —Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Cole was charged late last year with interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives, after federal authorities were unable to identify a suspect in the case for almost five years. —Joe Walsh, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026 The Terriers fought back and tied the score at 22 late in the second quarter on a Harding 3, but Enfield’s Kendall Coffey scored the last five points and the Eagles took a 27-22 lead into the locker room at halftime. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for late
Recent Examples of Synonyms for late
  1. delayed
  2. former
  3. fallen
  4. advanced
  5. later
  6. lately
  7. belated
  8. old
Adjective
  • Fashion firms often operate on slim margins, and these can quickly erode due to late receipts, misaligned inventory allocation and delayed markdowns.
    — SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Brave jumpers leaped into Evergreen Lake on March 1, or meteorological spring, as the delayed Evergreen Lake Plunge took place.
    — CBSColorado.com Staff, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of delayed
Adjective
  • Ministers remain haunted by events in September 2000 when former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government, with a majority as large as Starmer’s now, was rocked as farmers and hauliers blockaded refineries and fuel depots amid fury over taxes levied on petrol and diesel.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The Republican field includes former state Republican Party chair Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Hanson crossed Redwood Creek on a fallen log at the northern edge of the high severity burn, an elastic term that generally means an area where most of the trees are dead.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • His mission is to avenge the death of his only friend, while protecting his fallen comrade’s daughter from the forces that destroyed her family.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of fallen
Adjective
  • The spa Aman’s approach to wellness is holistic and advanced, drawing on nearly 40 years of well-being practices across its entire portfolio.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The robot relies on advanced control algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adverb
  • Officers and social workers arrived and spoke to the man, later identified as White, in his apartment.
    — Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
  • An unvaccinated visitor who later tested positive for measles may have exposed emergency patients at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego on March 11, the county’s public health department warned Wednesday.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of later
Adverb
  • In the new year, Musk welcomed Hegseth to a meeting at SpaceX headquarters, where Hegseth unveiled a new partnership with Grok, which lately had been spending most of its time removing the clothes of women and children in photographs.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • No one seems to dispute it—even with the inroads David Ellison has lately made.
    — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of lately
Adjective
  • 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
  • But Adams also deserves some belated credit (and don’t be shocked when his former colleagues toss him a GM of the Year vote or two).
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • Blume would shower with her father and her older brother, David.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The funeral prayer for the 41-year-old Afghan father of six who died Saturday in ICE custody was held Tuesday while more questions arise about why he was picked up and what caused his death less than a day later.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of old

Phrases Containing late

Browse Nearby Words

latch (on or onto)
late
latecomer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Late.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/late. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on late

Nglish: Translation of late for Spanish Speakers

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