Synonyms of timely

timely

adjective

ˈtīm-lē 

1

as in seasonable

especially suitable for a certain time

a timely invitation to lunch that came just as I was starting to feel hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seasonable
• opportune
• appropriate
• proper
• anticipated
• well-timed
• expected
• relevant
• suitable
• pertinent
• fitting
• relative
• meet
• fortunate
• apt
• lucky
• prompt
• punctual
• propitious
• pat
• fit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• untimely
• improper
• irrelevant
• inappropriate
• inopportune
• unseasonable
• unsuitable
• unseemly
• unfortunate
• late
• unfit
• early
• belated
• slow
• delayed
• postponed
• overdue
• delinquent
• unlucky
• tardy
• premature
• unexpected
• anticipatory
• irrelative
• sudden
• precocious
• behind
• unanticipated
• abrupt
• latish
• behindhand

2

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay

when I order a pizza, I expect it to be delivered in a timely manner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immediate
• swift
• prompt
• quick
• speedy
• punctual
• early
• apt
• ready
• willing
• seasonable
• opportune

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• belated
• tardy
• overdue
• delinquent
• delayed
• slow
• behind
• dilatory
• latish
• detained
• laggard
• behindhand

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of timely

When a congressional is received on any matter, that places it on top of an in-box and requires timely action. — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

But his World Cup trivela was a timely reminder of his talent. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

By filling in those gaps at the time of retrieval with the most likely possibility, your memory system can actually be quicker and be more flexible and work online in a timely manner. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

But by failing to provide timely data, critics said, the department complicated what should have been a simple process. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026