1. later than should have been the case; after the proper or expected time

Examples

• She belatedly realized her mistake after the meeting ended.
• The company belatedly issued an apology for the data breach.
• He belatedly wished his friend a happy birthday three days later.
• The government belatedly responded to the crisis after public pressure mounted.
• I belatedly discovered that I had been pronouncing her name wrong.
• The thank-you note arrived belatedly, but it was still appreciated.