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
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Recent Examples of belated
Joy speaks at length about growing up in a culturally sophisticated yet oppressive family and holding her artistic temperament in check, before achieving a belated liberation.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Then, at the end of the episode, Slightly pulls Arthur’s body into a ventilation shaft, in what could be a belated act of regret or an attempt to preserve a Xenomorph host body before any other aliens can eat it.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Scrambling to recall a few staff and issue some belated funding is just window dressing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The misguided focus on containment is a belated echo of the nuclear age, when the United States and others limited the spread of atomic bombs by restricting access to enriched uranium, by keeping an eye on what certain scientists were doing and by sending inspectors into labs and military bases.
—Zeynep Tufekci, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Then, at the end of the episode, Slightly pulls Arthur’s body into a ventilation shaft, in what could be a belated act of regret or an attempt to preserve a Xenomorph host body before any other aliens can eat it.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Scrambling to recall a few staff and issue some belated funding is just window dressing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The misguided focus on containment is a belated echo of the nuclear age, when the United States and others limited the spread of atomic bombs by restricting access to enriched uranium, by keeping an eye on what certain scientists were doing and by sending inspectors into labs and military bases.
—Zeynep Tufekci, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated
Adjective
-
The series, starring Morris Chestnut, was initially held back for another midseason run on Sundays before being summoned to the fall schedule to fill in for the delayed CIA, landing behind FBI on Mondays.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The same happened on Artemis 1, a delayed but ultimately successful uncrewed mission to lunar orbit that flew in late 2022.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Atlanta-area native also went just 8-for-14 from the foul line in his latest homecoming after making 91% of his foul shots over his previous nine games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Edwards was announced as a starter but was late to the court and replaced in the lineup by Mike Conley.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Xander Roker and Kirf Olander, San Diegans by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, respectively, were tardy to the party, but had no complaints about paying twice face price for the privilege.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Teachers accepted tardy excuses from parents of students stuck in gas lines.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mamdani has proposed using such fines as a vehicle to bring distressed rental properties under city stewardship, by aggressively pursuing liens on delinquent landlords and buying up their portfolios through foreclosure auctions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Federal and state laws carve out specific protections designed to ensure that delinquent borrowers can meet their basic living expenses, even in the middle of a debt dispute.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For those who have followed Garnett's entire career, the homecoming is also overdue.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
UConn is a perennial NCAA mens' basketball champ, but the other teams are bringing the heat in the hopes of scoring a long-overdue win, particularly Illinois, which has yet to claim the title.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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