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.

Regulators said when they filed the case that his tardy filing allowed him to spend less to buy up Twitter’s shares, saving him more than $150 million on the investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

She told her teachers that she was still going to be tardy, and besides, she liked the exercise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Dec. 20, 2025

"I'm a little tardy with the paper work," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

“Is this your electronic signature on the tardy log of that same day, Edna?”

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Vocabulary lists containing tardy

Orbiting Jupiter

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The Chocolate War

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The Great Gilly Hopkins

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