inopportune

adjective

in·​op·​por·​tune (ˌ)in-ˌä-pər-ˈtün 

-ˈtyün

: inconvenient, unseasonable

inopportunely adverb

inopportuneness

(ˌ)in-ˌä-pər-ˈt(y)ün-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of inopportune

• unexpected
• early
• premature
• sudden
• untimely
• precocious

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

American fans will rue the fact that such a feel-good story ended in embarrassment on and off the field as a US president who loves the spotlight seized it at an inopportune time and then a promising team crashed out in the worst way possible. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Missing out on this opportunity would be more than inopportune. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 July 2026

These headwinds are particularly inopportune for the spring market, traditionally the busiest for the housing sector. — John Kell, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Golden State played uncharacteristically, giving up open shots and turning the ball over at inopportune times. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin inopportunus, from in- + opportunus opportune

First Known Use

circa 1507, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inopportune

• midafternoon
• spermatozoon
• afternoon
• forenoon
• honeymoon
• importune
• laocoon
• opportune
• pantaloon
• picayune
• tablespoon
• attune

Kids Definition

inopportune

adjective

in·​op·​por·​tune (ˌ)in-ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ün 

: inconvenient

an inopportune time

inopportunely adverb