as in early
occurring before the usual or expected time
the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of untimely
Giannis has suffered a couple of untimely injuries in the playoffs, including one against the Heat in 2023 that opened their avenue to the NBA Finals.
—
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Indeed, the level of global acclaim Jackson, who tragically died in 2009 at the untimely age of 50 due to acute propofol intoxication, achieves is unprecedented.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Players look emotionally exhausted and detached from their current status, with Brighton’s last-gasp goal on Saturday another untimely blow.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Since his untimely death, Prince has been regarded as one of the most iconic musicians of his generation.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Indeed, the level of global acclaim Jackson, who tragically died in 2009 at the untimely age of 50 due to acute propofol intoxication, achieves is unprecedented.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Players look emotionally exhausted and detached from their current status, with Brighton’s last-gasp goal on Saturday another untimely blow.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Since his untimely death, Prince has been regarded as one of the most iconic musicians of his generation.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untimely
Adjective
-
That makes this early matchup, coming off the bye, against the Chargers at Arrowhead so vital.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The top of the order executed to perfection to give the Chargers the early lead Thursday.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
During my first pregnancy four years earlier, I had been hospitalized for a couple of months due to premature labor.—
Eloisa James,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
On the contrary, life insurance or disability insurance could help you or your family pay for other needs if something unexpected happens, including expenses like loans.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
As the novel progresses, the two tracks collide in unexpected ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Sun were consistently among the WNBA’s top-performing franchises on and off the court before the league’s sudden exponential growth.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
-
Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, said as a result of these sudden deployments, some spouses have had to cut back on their work hours or quit their jobs to hold down the home front.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s the brooding, damaged Creasy, who confusingly passes out at inopportune moments owing to his trauma; an international setting (Italy in the book and first film, Mexico City in the 2004 movie); and a young woman who breaks through his defenses and teaches him to feel again.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Bunting’s injury simply came at a most inopportune time.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untimely. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
