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.
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 The timing is inopportune because Smith, 48, must now transition into promo mode as the wildly popular, long-running hard-rock band now has a world tour dubbed Dance Kid Dance Act II kicking off in May, and a new album, EI8HT, due May 29. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026 Lutnick himself was out front and center Tuesday, appearing before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee as part of a standard oversight hearing that came at an inopportune time. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 11 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inopportune. Accessed 17 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on inopportune

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