un·time·ly
ˌən-ˈtīm-lē 
1
: at an inopportune time : unseasonably
… thought I was mad, or most untimely merry …—
T. E. Lawrence
T. E. Lawrence2
: before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely
went untimely to the grave
1
: inopportune, unseasonable
an untimely joke
untimely frost
2
a
: occurring or done before the due, natural, or proper time : too early : premature
an untimely death
b
: not made, done, or submitted within a set time period
an untimely petition
untimeliness
noun
Examples of untimely in a Sentence
Adjective
the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
All told, that quartet combined to allow just two hits — Brett Sullivan’s two-run double in the fifth inning off Hart and Hunter Goodman’s two-out single in the ninth off Rodriguez — after Pivetta’s untimely exit.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
There were too many injuries, too many different lineups, too many untimely freak plays and clutch conundrums.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
In the latest case, the state Department of Children and Families and Enfield Police are continuing to investigate the untimely death this month of Eve Rogers, a 12-year-old Enfield girl.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untimely
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Adjective
Nate turned his father, Cal, over to the police and a raid followed after Ashtray's untimely death, as well as Fezco's arrest, and the inevitable breakup of Rue and Jules.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
All told, that quartet combined to allow just two hits — Brett Sullivan’s two-run double in the fifth inning off Hart and Hunter Goodman’s two-out single in the ninth off Rodriguez — after Pivetta’s untimely exit.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
There were too many injuries, too many different lineups, too many untimely freak plays and clutch conundrums.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
In the latest case, the state Department of Children and Families and Enfield Police are continuing to investigate the untimely death this month of Eve Rogers, a 12-year-old Enfield girl.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Cite this Entry
“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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