TARDY Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

tardy

adjective

ˈtär-dē

Definition of tardy

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed thus far progress on the project has been tardy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delayed

not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time explained that I was tardy because my car had broken down on the way to work

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 tardy Pulitzer-Prize finalist Daniel Mason molds his new novel around Miles Krzelewski, married to a Stanford academic superstar, twelve years tardy on his dissertation. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 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 During one confessional, the model gave Zverev grief for always being tardy. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tardy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tardy

Adjective

Guests also have access to a sunny terrace and a shared pool, ideal for leisurely afternoons.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
But for me the wow factor started weeks out with a leisurely but extremely detailed call with a kindly staffer who took down all of our details.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of leisurely

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

Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership, a four-legged stationary lander, descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The core elements—airy melodies, drug talk, copious ad-libs—are old hat, but frank tales of suburban ennui and romantic strife give the Minneapolis rapper’s latest album a refreshingly personal air.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of late

Adjective

If the trial court decides that the movant was simply dilatory or lazy, the trial court could rightly decide that good cause does not exist to allow the late filing of the special motion.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Even when progress is made—like 2017’s commitment to allow American credit cards into China—Beijing is dilatory on execution.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 May 2026

Definition of dilatory

Adjective

The county’s program allows Clerk Monica Gordon to administer payment plans and waive interest costs for a small group of property owners that owe delinquent taxes.

— Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Bottoms and her husband have a history of delinquent property taxes going back years.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of delinquent

Adjective

Every initiative should identify its operational leading indicator, financial lagging indicator, value owner and realization mechanism.

— Todd Bernson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Just last month, Microsoft began layoffs of 20% of its Xbox employees as part of a sweeping reorganization to revive the company’s lagging games division.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of lagging

Adjective

But Merkle, on first base, went to the clubhouse without touching second base, and the Cubs recovered the ball and got a belated force-out at second.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
With the belated realization that the Chinese had indeed overtaken them in the burgeoning electric-vehicle business, the world’s other car-makers descended into doom and gloom.

— Jamie Kitman, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of belated

Browse Nearby Words

tardiness

tardy

target

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tardy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tardy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tardy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes