BELATED Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

belated

adjective

bi-ˈlā-təd

Definition of belated

as in delayed

not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time a belated birthday card

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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 belated 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 Tonkin marked their first wedding anniversary in a belated Instagram post on Tuesday, May 12. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Seattle receiver Golden Tate, after pushing off on the Packers’ Sam Shields (no flag was thrown, naturally), had made what seemed like a belated reach and put a single arm on the ball as Jennings fell to the ground. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated

Adjective

In a later video clip posted to his TikTok, Ash could be seen FaceTiming his social media manager, explaining that the group’s paperwork caused the delayed entry.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026
The delayed flight was one of two crises that Haitian officials faced on Thursday with deportees being returned from the United States.

— Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of delayed

Adjective

Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky said at a news conference late Monday at Kabila's residence in the eastern city of Goma that the FRN's mission is to restore the pillars of a functioning republic.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
The Bay Area rapper’s latest record boasts vivid scenes and careful character studies, backed by live instrumentation and occasionally staid samples.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of late

Adjective

Instead, it’s still titled to its previous owner, who is delinquent on its six-figure loan.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 15 Oct. 2026
Know More Waters is one of a number of senior members of Congress that fellow Democrats are grumbling about in private for being delinquent on their dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of delinquent

Adjective

Long overdue improvements to the debt restructuring process remain crucially important for the handful of countries that need debt stock reduction.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
For Hale and his group, known as People’s Vision Zero, the work was an improvement and long overdue in a part of Los Angeles where cars hitting pedestrians is an all too common occurrence.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of overdue

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belabors

belated

belatedly

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“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of belated

adjective

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