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

The tune has only spent four frames anywhere on the tally, including this latest stint. —

Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders are running out of time to avoid a partial government shutdown late Friday night, after President-elect Donald Trump and his allies sunk a compromise bill to fund the government through March. —

Christina Wilkie, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Her thrillingly committed homage to 1981’s Possession late in the film is one of the year’s great horror moments, full stop. —

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024 Nick Hicks-Beach (Midsomer Murders) will pen the series, which is expected to air late next year, with David Moore (Outlander) set to direct. —

Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for late

Recent Examples of Synonyms for late

Adjective

Trump said he's taken more than 100 congratulatory calls from his former and future counterparts since the November election.

Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Lake, a former TV broadcaster who narrowly lost the 2022 gubernatorial race, has been a prominent surrogate for Trump’s presidential campaign, appearing in Iowa and New Hampshire, and has been mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick.

Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024