inopportune

adjective

in·​op·​por·​tune (ˌ)in-ˌä-pər-ˈtün How to pronounce inopportune (audio)
-ˈtyün
Synonyms of inopportunenext
inopportunely adverb
inopportuneness noun

Examples of inopportune in a Sentence

He always shows up at the most inopportune times. an inopportune sale of stocks
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the gutting of the Forest Service couldn’t come at a more inopportune moment. Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026 But that scoring has deserted them at an inopportune time. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 His glass eye never stayed in its place, falling out at the most inopportune moments. Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026 Her prom dreams inch closer as her lies begin to mount and her new alabaster skin starts peeling off at extremely inopportune moments. Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inopportune

Word History

Etymology

Latin inopportunus, from in- + opportunus opportune

First Known Use

circa 1507, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inopportune was circa 1507

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inopportune. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

inopportune

adjective
in·​op·​por·​tune (ˌ)in-ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ün How to pronounce inopportune (audio)
: inconvenient
an inopportune time
inopportunely adverb

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