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Synonyms

belatedly

American  
[bih-ley-tid-lee] / bɪˈleɪ tɪd li /

adverb

  1. after the customary, useful, or expected time.

    If a law shouldn't have been passed in the first place, it's no crime to belatedly reverse it.

    I received your letter last month, and I wanted to thank you, even if belatedly.

Etymology

Origin of belatedly

belated ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Mortensen belatedly attempts to help Indy, Paul screams at him to “get away from my child.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Australia's Test run machine eventually earned a place in the squad proper when the selectors belatedly named a replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the competition before a ball was bowled.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

Far too often, I realized belatedly that going against my instincts would have been the right choice.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

The state of California belatedly lent its support.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

The statement, she realized belatedly, was not directed at Anat.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.