as in early
before the usual or expected time
a baby born three weeks prematurely
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Recent Examples of prematurely
Both hospitals provide on-site neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for babies who are critically ill or born prematurely.
—
Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026
As oblivion approached, with all its attendant possibilities of panic or bitterness, Bowie summoned the generosity to evoke the ordeal of one prematurely dying man while also thinking and creating at the no less vast scale of life itself.
—Armin Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
However, the 29-year-old tore an ACL in the Commanders’ 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home, ending his year prematurely after just nine games.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Bleach may also cause tools to rust prematurely if it isn’t rinsed off properly, and drips stain your clothes.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
Separating bananas will ensure one bad fruit in the bunch doesn't cause the others to rot prematurely.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Christine was born prematurely and died hours after her birth on June 26, 1947, according to the Reagan Library.
—Haley Van Horn, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The 31 people who died that day, and the hundreds who have died prematurely since.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Fields had reportedly been on life support after the shooting, according to WFAA, during which time his friends and family urged others on social media to not prematurely speculate about his condition.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026
As oblivion approached, with all its attendant possibilities of panic or bitterness, Bowie summoned the generosity to evoke the ordeal of one prematurely dying man while also thinking and creating at the no less vast scale of life itself.
—Armin Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
However, the 29-year-old tore an ACL in the Commanders’ 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home, ending his year prematurely after just nine games.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Bleach may also cause tools to rust prematurely if it isn’t rinsed off properly, and drips stain your clothes.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
Separating bananas will ensure one bad fruit in the bunch doesn't cause the others to rot prematurely.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Christine was born prematurely and died hours after her birth on June 26, 1947, according to the Reagan Library.
—Haley Van Horn, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The 31 people who died that day, and the hundreds who have died prematurely since.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Fields had reportedly been on life support after the shooting, according to WFAA, during which time his friends and family urged others on social media to not prematurely speculate about his condition.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prematurely
early
Adverb
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In danger of being blown out early, the Panthers actually took the lead — twice — in an extraordinary fourth quarter that kept viewers glued to their TVs around the country.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early, but stormed back to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard's second touchdown of the run game early in the fourth quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prematurely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prematurely. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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