as in early
before the usual or expected time
a baby born three weeks prematurely
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Recent Examples of prematurely
In Season 1, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, who goes by the nickname Stick, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
In Brontë’s novel, Catherine dies hours after her daughter, Cathy, is born prematurely.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
What’s more, Eastwick told me, apps can encourage people to judge their dates too quickly—and perhaps move on prematurely.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
In the early 19th century, people tended to get married and have children much younger because lifespans were shorter and dying prematurely was a distinct possibility.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Owen doesn't recommend using these for cut roses, and warns that, used in inappropriate amounts, such mixtures can kill your cut roses prematurely.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
But when Mickey is cloned prematurely, resulting in multiple Mickeys, both Mickeys find themselves in danger of extermination.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
This was Benjamin, the son that Silvia had given birth to prematurely.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The baby girl arrived prematurely, after Broadus’ 25-week pregnancy.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
In Brontë’s novel, Catherine dies hours after her daughter, Cathy, is born prematurely.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
What’s more, Eastwick told me, apps can encourage people to judge their dates too quickly—and perhaps move on prematurely.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
In the early 19th century, people tended to get married and have children much younger because lifespans were shorter and dying prematurely was a distinct possibility.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Owen doesn't recommend using these for cut roses, and warns that, used in inappropriate amounts, such mixtures can kill your cut roses prematurely.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
But when Mickey is cloned prematurely, resulting in multiple Mickeys, both Mickeys find themselves in danger of extermination.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
This was Benjamin, the son that Silvia had given birth to prematurely.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The baby girl arrived prematurely, after Broadus’ 25-week pregnancy.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prematurely
early
Adverb
-
Gene Roebuck fouled out early in the fourth quarter but still scored 19 points.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit earlier this month following the Bondi attack sparked protests at major Australian cities, including clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators with the police outside Sydney Town Hall.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prematurely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prematurely. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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