as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time
a belated birthday card
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Recent Examples of belated
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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for belated
Emma Banks, InStyle, 5 Mar. 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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for belated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belated
Adjective
-
Other misconceptions have led to frustration and fear and delayed diagnosis.—
Michelle Seguin,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 May 2026
-
The combination of the chiming, delayed guitar, twiddly ‘80s synths, weird time signatures and Fish’s unique lyrics and vocal delivery all added up to a very intriguing listen.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Iran, which says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, was said to have included some nuclear concessions in its latest proposal to end the war.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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The Federal Aviation Administration’s latest plan to get the air traffic control workforce on better footing makes some important advances.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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By the main course, most tardy guests have managed to arrive, but not all.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Kim Zolciak-Biermann's second daughter wasn't tardy for her party — her romantic photoshoto was practically the main event.—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Nationwide, 3% of consumer debt was delinquent in the first quarter, the highest since 2020’s first quarter.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
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These options are often easier to access before accounts become seriously delinquent, though.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Now, fans spill from arenas into restaurants, bars, and city streets all year round, still dressed in team jerseys and united by the feeling that this moment is long overdue.—
Julia Viele,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 May 2026
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Action on this quality of life and safety matter is long overdue.—
Michael Miller,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belated. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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