untimely

adjective

Definition of untimelynext
as in early
occurring before the usual or expected time the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 untimely Something of a memento mori, the necklace flips the script on the beetle's role as the harbinger of untimely death in the original film and becomes instead a protective talisman for its wearer. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 More details about Hayden Panettiere’s plans to visit her daughter have emerged three days after the actress’s untimely death. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026 Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 Incomplete, corrupted, untimely, or unintelligible Submissions or Submission Forms will be disqualified. — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untimely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untimely
  1. early
  2. premature
  3. unexpected
  4. sudden
  5. inopportune
Adjective
  • Another day, another millennial-nostalgia-baiting sequel to a classic late 1990s or early 2000s movie.
    — Lauren O’Neill, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But shortstop Colson Montgomery provided early offense with a three-run home run as part of a four-run first inning.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • The Supreme Court, in a brief order last week, found that an earlier challenge to Trump’s executive order was premature because USPS had not yet issued a final rule.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of premature
Adjective
  • This move was not entirely unexpected, as Bezos hinted at the possibility during an interview with CNBC back in May.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Home insurance covers your home and belongings from unexpected events like fire, theft or natural disasters.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adjective
  • Officials are still investigating the exact cause, though preliminary assessments suggest an ice avalanche may have blocked a river upstream in Tibet, triggering the sudden outburst flood.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The concierge can be contacted via WhatsApp, but response times can be slow during varying rush hours; for example, a sudden tropical rainstorm might inspire half the resort to call in for room service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • The accusation comes at an inopportune time, when Microsoft is trying to optimize Windows 11 for 8GB of RAM and PC makers are developing less expensive hardware to compete with Apple’s MacBook Neo.
    — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies are in the final days before the MLB trade deadline searching for answers to an offense that has stalled at an inopportune time.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of inopportune

Browse Nearby Words

untimeliness
untimely
untired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untimely. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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