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Definitions

tardy

[tahr-dee] / ˈtɑr di /
ADJECTIVE
late
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belated delayed delinquent overdue sluggish
WEAK
backward behindhand dawdling detained dilatory held up hung up in a bind jammed laggard loitering not arrived not done procrastinating slack slow strapped for time too late unpunctual
Antonyms
STRONGEST
early
WEAK
on time prompt punctual ready

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.

Teachers accepted tardy excuses from parents of students stuck in gas lines.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

The latest, if tardy, look at the labor market wasn’t so bad at first glance.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 20, 2025

In October 2013, the inflation and employment reports for the prior month were also tardy by nearly two weeks because of a 16-day government shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

Not even these goals were as tardy as Rio Ngumoha's 100th-minute strike on Monday night, however.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2025

“The potatoes are lumpy,” she responded, doing some tardy mashing with the tines of her fork.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.