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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The company has agreed to pay the settlement amount in four equal annual installments, with the first installment expected in late 2025. —

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 The adventure is the focal point of National Geographic’s latest feature-length documentary, titled The Devil’s Climb, which debuted in October. —

Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024

Adverb

With conditions like this, more fires could be sparking across the country even late into autumn. —

Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024 In a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4, New York missed a potential game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for late

Recent Examples of Synonyms for late

Adjective

Evans, 38, an Army veteran and former Arvada police officer, campaigned on hot-topic issues including free speech, gun rights and American security.

Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
When the teacher assigns a research project about a local landmark, Barret Eloise and her former friend, along with two boys, choose the scary old Rathfield Manor.

Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024