LATE Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

late 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlāt

Definition of late next

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

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

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as in fallen

no longer living our late granduncle remembered us in his will

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as in advanced

being far along in development late impressionism gave rise to pointillism

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late

2 of 2

adverb

as in later

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

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as in lately

not long ago the actress, late of New York but now of Los Angeles, is being eagerly sought for film roles

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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

Examples 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

Hollywood’s latest attempt at rebooting Wolf Man certainly doesn’t lack for pedigree, between Blumhouse and writer-director Leigh Whannell, the duo behind 2020’s The Invisible Man, which was a surprise hit in earning north of $144 million globally. —

Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025 The city’s 3-K program, for three-year-olds, is not yet universal, owing to Mayor Eric Adams’s budget austerity; his latest budget proposal leaves 3-K with a funding gap of a hundred and twelve million dollars. —

Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025

Adverb

The musician was photographed in New York heading to Target late on January 17, wearing an oversized black hoodie and matching sweatpants. —

Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2025 Exiting the Oval Office brings ex-presidents into one of the world’s most exclusive clubs, with there being just four other living ex-presidents left after former President Jimmy Carter died late last year. —

Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for late

Recent Examples of Synonyms for late

Adjective

Unfortunately for one Czech Republic hitter, former Miami (Ohio) shortstop Willie Escala, one of those pitches coming in at 101.9 mph drilled him on the left knee.

— Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Dig in: Duckworth purchased the recipe rights and is partnering with Chili Willi's former owner and chef, Ron Smith, to bring the restaurant to Charlotte.

— Laura Barrero, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025