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
Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
As the world marks ten years since Prince’s untimely death in the spring of 2016, Minneapolis, the city that birthed him, wants to mark the significance of the moment.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Rebel Without a Cause and Giant were both released afterwards; he was posthumously nominated for Best Actor Oscars for both roles, cementing his place as a Hollywood icon whose impact and influence would endure far past his untimely death.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026
Prices are surging this year because of untimely rains that flooded the crop last season and caused the spread of fungal disease.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untimely
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Adjective
Since his untimely death, Prince has been regarded as one of the most iconic musicians of his generation.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
As the world marks ten years since Prince’s untimely death in the spring of 2016, Minneapolis, the city that birthed him, wants to mark the significance of the moment.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Rebel Without a Cause and Giant were both released afterwards; he was posthumously nominated for Best Actor Oscars for both roles, cementing his place as a Hollywood icon whose impact and influence would endure far past his untimely death.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026
Prices are surging this year because of untimely rains that flooded the crop last season and caused the spread of fungal disease.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 19 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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