as in early
occurring before the usual or expected time
the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of untimely
In 1925, only a year after Kafka’s untimely death at age forty, the first Spanish translation of his most famous story appeared anonymously in the influential cultural magazine Revista de Occidente under the title La metamorfosis.
—
Mark Harman
august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
The fact that many of these late stars suffered tragic, untimely deaths adds to the ghoulishness of the display—all are shown grinning inanely at the camera, animated by the digital necromancy of generative AI.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Natasha’s untimely death devastated her family, including Neeson, her children and her mother, who opened up to PEOPLE in 2019 about the heartbreaking loss.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
At least Judge, Daniels, and Paterson left the character’s distinctively androgynous voice (provided by Pamela Adlon in both incarnations of a show that has weathered the untimely deaths of too many original voice actors) intact.
—Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Mark Harman
august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
The fact that many of these late stars suffered tragic, untimely deaths adds to the ghoulishness of the display—all are shown grinning inanely at the camera, animated by the digital necromancy of generative AI.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Natasha’s untimely death devastated her family, including Neeson, her children and her mother, who opened up to PEOPLE in 2019 about the heartbreaking loss.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
At least Judge, Daniels, and Paterson left the character’s distinctively androgynous voice (provided by Pamela Adlon in both incarnations of a show that has weathered the untimely deaths of too many original voice actors) intact.
—Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untimely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untimely
Adjective
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She was diagnosed with autism and worked with therapists from ages 2 to 6 in the early 90s, participated in play therapy, and learned social and developmental skills.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
24 Aug. 2025
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By most measures, retirement experts said, 58 is a little early to pack it in.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This is a pressing issue for China’s population centers, as household air pollution from coal contributes to 420,000 premature deaths annually.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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On average, study participants who fast walked for at least 15 minutes every day saw a nearly 20% reduction in premature death compared with a 4% reduction among participants who walked slowly for a total of more than three hours a day.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The trend is not entirely unexpected, the survey's key findings read, as many of the structures were built during the mid-to-late 20th century, a period dominated by brutalist and utilitarian architectural styles.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
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The ripple effect of Social Studies wasn’t entirely unexpected.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Ahmed’s Hamlet was challenging his mother, Gertrude, played by Sheeba Chaddha, about her seemingly sudden decision to marry Art Malik’s Claudius.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Honestly, for those of us who get periods, is there a more universal experience than being surprised by your period at an extremely inopportune moment?—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
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The theft seems easy to James, and exciting — Reichardt layers a jazzy score underneath the action that shows up under fitting, then increasingly inopportune moments.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untimely. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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