late 1 of 2

1
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

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4

late

2 of 2

adverb

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
Also during their conversations, both Michele and Chenoweth said their latest roles gave them a chance to try something new. Gordon Cox, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025 Their latest sale includes everything from crossbody bags to Nike joggers. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Jeremy Strong has, of late, been prone to transformation on-screen. David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025 During a Raiders timeout as the Chiefs had a first-and-goal at their 3-yard line late in the first half, Mahomes went to the sideline to speak with Reid. Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for late
Recent Examples of Synonyms for late
Adjective
  • The delayed sentencing hearing is set for April 15 in the circuit court.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • How to Protect Your Luggage From Bed Bugs From delayed flights to lost luggage, travel is already anxiety-inducing enough without adding these pervasive pests to the mix.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Since the city does not own the adjacent former Staples building, which Spirit Halloween is leasing, there are no plans for that building to be part of the redevelopment, said Middletown Vice Mayor Steve West.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • After years of a 4-4-2 being the prevailing setup across Europe in the 1990s, former Manchester City assistant manager Juanma Lillo was an early exponent of the 4-2-3-1 system in the early 2000s during his time in Spain.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The researchers found the pathogens — Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis, bacteria that cause paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, respectively — by analyzing teeth from the fallen soldiers who were found in a mass grave uncovered in 2001 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Carruth often begins with a small image, such as a fallen pearl or a misplaced wand, and lets the story unspool from emotion.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The focus was to provide more attacking numbers in advanced areas to maintain territorial dominance, with a midfield pair — or ‘double pivot’ — providing the defensive foundation behind a nominal front four.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Around 40 minutes later, Carreras is once again on the move before Pedri’s pass reaches Yamal to close him down.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Overall, the inflation data likely add fuel to expectations that the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by another quarter percentage point at its policy meeting later this month - its second consecutive cut.
    NPR, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • But lately, some patients have had difficulty with this device.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Bills are coming off a bye and are on the road, against veteran backup QB Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers, but Buffalo hasn’t looked like itself lately, losing two straight entering Week 8.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • The residency blues In politics, fighting over where candidates live is a tale as old as time.
    Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Lutnick handed the reins of the company to his 27-year-old son, and his other son also works at Cantor.
    Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Late.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/late. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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