TIMELY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

timely

adjective

ˈtīm-lē

Definition of timely

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 timely Campbell joined community college faculty, students and other supporters at a rally on the campus in September urging the college to pay staff fair and timely wages. — William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 28 Aug. 2026 Many face barriers to timely diagnoses, medical treatments and coordination of care. — Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 That includes sharing explicit expectations around AI use, providing timely updates when possible and engaging with feedback — or even pushback — from employees. — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Kitchens were structured for high throughput and delivery vehicles lined up on the other side of the building to take finished meals and speed them along critical thoroughfares for timely and low-cost delivery. — George C. Lee Ii, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for timely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for timely

Adjective

High pressure brings dry, quieter weather Thursday and Friday with seasonable temperatures.

— Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
The coast-to-coast heat is expected to break later in the month, with a region of more seasonable weather in the Northeast in the Climate Prediction Center's 3-4 week outlook.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of seasonable

Adjective

His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.

— Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
These models predict what the fuel will do in the immediate future.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

Four decades into the Air Jordan line, now could be an opportune time for Jordan Brand to borrow from Bryant’s Nike line and re-cement its own legacy.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
The Athletic sat down with Peter Ramage in March to discuss the inner-workings of the loans department, which is essential for ensuring players get temporary moves at the opportune moment.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of opportune

Adjective

Casual straw boater hats were only appropriate during summer months—specifically from May 15 (Straw Hat Day) to September 15 (Felt Hat Day).

— Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 4, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
Parton also made an effort to contribute to causes such as child literacy with her Imagination Library program, which mails a free age-appropriate book to children every month from birth to fifth grade.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of appropriate

Adjective

Waves of 6 to 10 feet, dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding prompt rescues and beach lot closures through midweek.

— Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Catering to the Volume, Not the Power User From a purely capitalistic standpoint, power users who demand high literacy, strict prompt adherence, and investigative rigor represent a tiny fraction of Google's user base.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of prompt

Adjective

But the jet rose above the normal path aircraft take on their approach to Runway 30 before dropping altitude to return back into proper position, tracking data from Flightradar24 showed.

— Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
The 6,970-yard course is challenging but fair and open enough for all handicaps, from the proper tees, to have a good time.

— Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of proper

Browse Nearby Words

timeliness

timely

time-out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Timely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timely. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of timely

adjective

Example Sentences

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