as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time
their inopportune arrival before the house was cleaned
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 inopportune
The disfigurement struck at an inopportune time.
—
Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
For these 16 celebrities, ish happened at the most inopportune times.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Beyond kicker, though, Ohio State has alignment and formation issues that cost it big in the Cotton Bowl and show up at the most inopportune times.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The timing is inopportune for MNUFC.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inopportune
Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
For these 16 celebrities, ish happened at the most inopportune times.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Beyond kicker, though, Ohio State has alignment and formation issues that cost it big in the Cotton Bowl and show up at the most inopportune times.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The timing is inopportune for MNUFC.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inopportune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inopportune
Adjective
-
Reviewing these options in advance can help prevent unexpected medical expenses later in the year.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Chalker’s strategy for clearing his reputation—which had been the foundation of his lucrative business—was unexpected, to say the least.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Kovacich’s parole hearing came amid heightened scrutiny of California’s early release programs for inmates.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
By the early 1980s, soft-rock bands were out of fashion and Seals & Crofts had been dropped by its label, Warner Bros.—
Hillel Italie,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
About 1 in 10 infants in the US was born premature in 2024, according to the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Example factors included the cost of a medical visit, premature death rates, access to mental health counselors, fruit and vegetable consumption, fitness and instruction centers per capita, physically active adults, parkland and quality of parks.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden rise of Tyler Ballgame from the Eagle Rock scene is something Perry seems to feel some ambivalence about.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple stayed together until Farrokhzad’s untimely death, in a car crash, in 1967.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Federal prosecutors, in their response, said his request was untimely and without merit.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The precocious talent had to undergo three surgeries and get six metal pins installed into her back.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
By middle school, the precocious teen booked her first audition, a spot for the National Dairy Board.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inopportune. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
