belated

adjective

bi-ˈlā-təd How to pronounce belated (audio)
Definition of belatednext
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time a belated birthday card

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 belated China, meanwhile, is living with the long shadow of its one-child policy, which was eased to a two-child rule in 2016 and then to a three-child policy in 2021 in a belated push to boost births. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 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 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 That’s true historically — Netflix ran a 10K on streaming before Disney could lace up its sneakers, prompting a mad belated frenzy from the Burbank firm to get its own service up and running more than a decade later, in 2019. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated
  1. delayed
  2. late
  3. tardy
  4. delinquent
  5. overdue
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
  • The European side then notched up a third goal from Hans Vanaken just before the hour mark, before Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the victory with a late strike in injury time.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Photographer Phil Oh captures the drama and frivolity in Paris as designers present their latest couture collections.
    — Phil Oh, Vogue, 7 July 2026
Definition of late
Adjective
  • Machado, who was shifted over and essentially playing in the shortstop position, fielded the ball and diverted his route to go put a tag on Hoerner before making a tardy throw to first base.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the 5-4 majority, wrote that federal election statutes -- which say nothing about ballot receipt -- do not override states' ability to set their own policies for handling tardy votes by mail.
    — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of tardy
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
  • Jack Dorsey framed the decision as overdue rather than defensive.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, 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, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
Definition of overdue

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belabors
belated
belatedly
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Cite this Entry

“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belated

Nglish: Translation of belated for Spanish Speakers

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