overdue

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈdü How to pronounce overdue (audio)
Definition of overduenext
1
as in delayed
not arriving, or occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time an overdue library book will be subject to daily fines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unpaid
not yet paid an overdue bill that's started incurring interest charges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount spends an overdue percentage of her income on housing expenses like rent and utilities

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 overdue Wulf pays overdue homage to an intellectual titan and forefather of linguistics and natural history. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 Verizon Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Berland believes that model is overdue for disruption. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Thus far, from Toronto to Guadalajara to Arlington, this World Cup is revealing a lot, including Arlington finally developing a spot that is convenient for fans before and after the events to eat, drink and party here was long overdue. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 California lawmakers’ desire for more oversight of the state’s overdue and over-budget Next Generation 911 project appear likely to go into effect after requirements proposed earlier this session were included in recent budget and trailer bills. — William Melhado july 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overdue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overdue
  1. delayed
  2. unpaid
  3. excessive
  4. belated
  5. outstanding
  6. steep
  7. delinquent
  8. extreme
Adjective
  • The impact is already being felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru’s fishing season.
    — Bloomberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026
  • That meant a delayed return to full activities.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Definition of delayed
Adjective
  • An Associated Press article highlighted how some colleges and local governments are helping stop-out students return by removing seemingly small but significant barriers, such as unpaid fees, complicated processes or lack of personalized outreach.
    — Catherine Wehlburg, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • But the development stalled, spawning lawsuits and disputes over $20 million in unpaid work.
    — Carolyn Komatsoulis Updated July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.
    — Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Black residents of the city have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.
    — Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • The closer and title track serve as a belated mission statement, at once tonally busy and capaciously arranged, as if to make the frequency spectrum itself a character in the songs.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 June 2026
  • The journey proves a belated act of self-discovery.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 17 May 2026
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • Watson was always known for incredibly quick hands and outstanding bat speed.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Another outstanding rug in the lineup this week is this easy-to-clean jute number from Joon Loloi at 60% off.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • That marks a steep decline of 74% from the movie's already-poor $37 million debut, a much bigger drop than is typical for a summer superhero film.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • In the tourney, Zellers had five goals and three assists in five games and made a steep climb up the depth chart.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026
Definition of steep
Adjective
  • Collection agencies frequently purchase delinquent debts for pennies on the dollar or work on commission for the original creditor.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • As if the sudden influx of orders weren't enough, Carmy also has to contend with feuding employees, a delinquent trainee, a distracted pastry chef, a dearth of giardiniera, and a dry Sharpie.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
Definition of delinquent
Adjective
  • The National Weather Service said cool air from the north will push the heat dome, responsible for a heat wave that started midweek, south and west in the coming days, relieving some of the most extreme temperatures in the Northeast.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of extreme

Browse Nearby Words

overdrew
overdue
overeat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overdue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overdue. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on overdue

Nglish: Translation of overdue for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All