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
But in late February, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced a big change to the Artemis architecture. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026 With this latest infusion of funds, a successful launch later this year now seems even more likely. —ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The vote, which came following a lively debate that went late into the night, comes after the Senate’s adoption of the bill in January, and sets it on a smooth path to be enacted as law, likely before the summer. —Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Her father learned, too late, that the relocation would also target Jewish men. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 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
  • Republicans narrowly control Congress and the agenda, but with the challenge of locking down enough of their own members after a delayed vote, Democratic votes will likely come into play — and the rare opportunity for leverage as the minority party.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Greece’s farming sector faces mounting strain, with weeks of protests triggered by delayed subsidy payments tied to the investigation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of delayed
Adjective
  • Past employees have said that working under Levin is nightmarish; one former colleague of Levin’s filed a gender discrimination complaint against the organization in 2020.
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Democratic former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said voters misjudged the race early on.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Such fallen pieces of history have enticed explorers and enthusiasts, some of whom have ventured into the depths to view them themselves — including Cameron.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • On the walk back to the inn, Henry veered off the trail to pick up a fallen branch, gray and forked with one crisp leaf clinging obstinately on.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of fallen
Adjective
  • With the game scoreless in the fourth, Elly De La Cruz doubled on a line drive to the warning track and advanced to third when Sal Stewart reached on a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Kreidler.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Rumblex Max is the most advanced vibration plate in Lifepro's Rumblex series, delivering powerful 4D training that activates your entire body.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adverb
  • Losada and Collins, who remain close friends, still talk about the crash a year later, helping each other cope with the pain.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The couple met in 2014 on Tinder but didn't start dating until two years later.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of later
Adverb
  • The Yankees’ bullpen hasn’t provided much relief lately.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • While the Yankees sent ace left-hander Max Fried to mound, the Angels had a bullpen game, with a bullpen that hasn’t been so good lately.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 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
  • The rules generally wouldn't apply to children, people 65 or older, or people with disabilities or serious health issues.
    — Samantha Liss, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • At Kingfisher Bar & Grill, a higher-volume restaurant with slightly older clientele, setting expectations is important.
    — Jaia Clingham-David, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of late for Spanish Speakers

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