timelier; timeliest
1
: coming early or at the right time
a timely decision
timely payment
2
: appropriate or adapted to the times or the occasion
a timely book
timeliness
noun
1
: in time : opportunely
… the question was not … timely raised in the state court.—
W. O. Douglas
W. O. DouglasExamples of timely in a Sentence
Adjective
Her very timely book examines the effects of global warming on the world's climates.
She always responds to my requests in a timely fashion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Finally, early warning systems employing acoustic sensors, optical trackers, and passive radio frequency detection provide critical situational awareness, enabling timely engagement of incoming UAV threats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Blending humor, heart and a contemporary perspective, the film explores the tension between aspiration and reality through a distinctly Latino lens—delivering a timely, emotionally resonant story that expands Telemundo’s storytelling into new formats and audiences.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But in a story about the legal dispute, some sources for Brown’s reporting described it as a creative and timely rehash of older material.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for timely
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.
Adjective
There are checks that aren’t being processed in a timely fashion, constituents have sued the TTC office after being assessed egregious fines that weren’t justified, and phone wait times are over two hours.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Finally, early warning systems employing acoustic sensors, optical trackers, and passive radio frequency detection provide critical situational awareness, enabling timely engagement of incoming UAV threats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Blending humor, heart and a contemporary perspective, the film explores the tension between aspiration and reality through a distinctly Latino lens—delivering a timely, emotionally resonant story that expands Telemundo’s storytelling into new formats and audiences.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But in a story about the legal dispute, some sources for Brown’s reporting described it as a creative and timely rehash of older material.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for timely
Cite this Entry
“Timely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timely. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
