late 1 of 3

1
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
4

late

2 of 3

adverb

lateness

3 of 3

noun

as in tardiness
the quality or state of being late we were unable to get into the movie due to our lateness in arriving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 late
Adjective
Expect a late thunderstorm with a low near 91 degrees. Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025 The Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s latest strategic initiatives are not limited to military and veteran caregivers; rather, the organization seeks to uplift civilian caregivers as well. Tom Chiodo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adverb
His return will no doubt boost a rotation that also boasts Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer, both of whom have been very good of late. Levi Weaver, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 Another push of cooler air from Canada is possible late next week, which could keep this taste of autumn around through at least Labor Day weekend. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for late
Recent Examples of Synonyms for late
Adjective
  • On social media, Michaels also spoke about rampant speculation surrounding her relationship with former costar Harper.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Donnie was terminated by the district March 31, according to a letter from former Superintendent Marty Pollio.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Suddenly, a tank advanced and crushed him, smashing both him and his bag of flour into the ground.
    Ahmed Dader August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The early build-out of the infrastructure needed to train and power the most advanced AI models was largely funded by the AI companies themselves, including tech giants like Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Meta Platforms Inc.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Make sure to get the matcha and granola bowl and a cold brew mixed with orange juice and thank me later.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Police now say the teen is the same person whom police questioned and later released in connection with the killing of a woman who was walking with a child to a JCPS bus stop Aug. 13.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • The road had been a bit rocky for Starship lately, however.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Bands, which submerge personalities in a collective identity, seem to have faltered lately as a unit of musical celebrity.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Decades of research reviewed by the Food Research & Action Center shows that when students participate in school breakfast programs, behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement go up and tardiness goes down.
    Becky Pringle, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The issue arises when your tardiness becomes a pattern, especially with a certain individual who may be very patient and understanding but will still likely prefer punctuality.
    Joseph Liu, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Scrambling to recall a few staff and issue some belated funding is just window dressing.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Please accept our belated apology.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • How old is Taylor Swift? Kelce was born Oct. 5, 1989 (that year sound familiar?), making the 35-year-old a Libra.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The most recent bill targets the nation's oldest and largest teachers' union's ability to lobby.
    Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Three people are dead and nine others are injured after multiple shooters opened fire in a mass shooting at a New York City club, according to the New York City Police Department.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Two men are dead and a third person injured after a triple shooting Saturday night in Kansas City, Kansas.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Late.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/late. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on late

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!