late 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlāt How to pronounce late (audio)
Definition of latenext
1
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time I ran as fast as I could, but was still late for class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in former
having been such at some previous time the late musical director said he would never have allowed such behavior while he was in charge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fallen
no longer living our late granduncle remembered us in his will

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in advanced
being far along in development late impressionism gave rise to pointillism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

late

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in later
after the due, usual, or proper time she has a habit of arriving late for everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago the actress, late of New York but now of Los Angeles, is being eagerly sought for film roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective late contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of late are dead, deceased, defunct, and departed. While all these words mean "devoid of life," late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

In what contexts can dead take the place of late?

In some situations, the words dead and late are roughly equivalent. However, dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life.

a dead, listless performance

How is deceased related to other words for late?

Deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

When is defunct a more appropriate choice than late?

The synonyms defunct and late are sometimes interchangeable, but defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

When could departed be used to replace late?

Although the words departed and late have much in common, departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

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 late
Adjective
Kale is in season from late fall through early spring and comes in varieties such as curly and lacinato. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026 Potato maturity depends on the variety, ranging from about 110 days for early types to over 120 days for late ones. —David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The Republican National Committee urged the Supreme Court this week to strike down laws that allow states to count late-arriving mail-in ballots, ahead of the midterm election later this year. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026 Penix eventually became Atlanta’s starting quarterback late in the 2024 season after Cousins was benched. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for late
Recent Examples of Synonyms for late
  1. delayed
  2. former
  3. fallen
  4. advanced
  5. later
  6. lately
  7. belated
  8. old
Adjective
  • The delayed and low-key nature of that April news conference would make for a stark contrast with the unveiling of another round of immigration legislation just 10 months later.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Residents report the actual death toll exceeds 162, with villages devastated and survivors fleeing as government security forces faced criticism for delayed response.
    — Pelumi Salako, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of delayed
Adjective
  • The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
    — JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The Lakers next play Thursday night here against the Mavericks, Doncic’s former team.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Steven McDonald, a fallen hero of the department who channeled the agony of three devastating gunshot wounds into an enduring message of peace and forgiveness.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • As the give-and-take between Goldsworthy and the farmers of Penpont has deepened, the latter have become accustomed to the sight of the artist gathering wood or stones or fallen trees.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of fallen
Adjective
  • Rosenblatt noted the improved ability to monetize streaming with its partnership with Amazon, a new ad tool for small and mid-sized businesses and tweaks made to the front page for advanced ads.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Everesse Built around advanced monopolar radiofrequency (RF), Everesse by Volnewmer is designed to lift and firm skin on the face and body in two sessions, spaced three months apart.
    — Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adverb
  • Rootselaar transitioned from male to female about six years ago and subsequently dropped out of school two years later, but McDonald said there is no evidence that Rootselaar dropped out due to bullying because of the transition.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Prior to this, in 2022, his mother – the late Queen Elizabeth II – revoked her second son's military associations and royal patronages in the wake of Giuffre's September 2021 lawsuit, which was later settled for an undisclosed sum.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of later
Adverb
  • But boy is Bezos leaning hard into his Bond villain perception lately.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Unfortunately, that’s not the direction Washington is heading in lately.
    — Josh M. Shepherd, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of lately
Adjective
  • But Adams also deserves some belated credit (and don’t be shocked when his former colleagues toss him a GM of the Year vote or two).
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 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
Definition of belated
Adjective
  • Given James is 41 years old, there was always going to be load management absences, especially on back-to-backs.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Brain game may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s A certain type of brain training appears to prevent or delay dementia by some 25% in people older than age 65.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of old

Phrases Containing late

Browse Nearby Words

latch (on or onto)
late
latecomer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Late.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/late. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on late

Nglish: Translation of late for Spanish Speakers

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