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
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
Their inconsistent play as a passing team under Patullo, paired with sudden setbacks in the run game and untimely penalties, has required the defense to close out the majority of their games this season.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Based on Candice Millard's best-selling Destiny of the Republic, the four-part miniseries chronicles Garfield's (Michael Shannon) rise to power, encounters with Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and untimely death.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
Zion Johnson had an untimely hold.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untimely
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Adjective
Over the course of a century, the untimely deaths of at least three girls are recorded; a fourth disappears and is never seen again.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
Their inconsistent play as a passing team under Patullo, paired with sudden setbacks in the run game and untimely penalties, has required the defense to close out the majority of their games this season.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Based on Candice Millard's best-selling Destiny of the Republic, the four-part miniseries chronicles Garfield's (Michael Shannon) rise to power, encounters with Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and untimely death.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
Zion Johnson had an untimely hold.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Cite this Entry
“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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