untimely

adjective

Definition of untimelynext
as in early
occurring before the usual or expected time the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 untimely Horatio, the middle name of the Charles Underwood, appears only in the record of his birth, on February 19, 1807, to Richard and Elisabeth Underwood of Pleasant Row in London, and in the report on the inquest into his untimely death. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 Officers responded to the area for the report of an untimely death. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026 The Kansas City Royals continue to be hamstrung untimely departures. — Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Princess Diana’s final birthday was on July 1, 1997—just two months before her untimely death in a Paris car accident on August 31. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for untimely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untimely
  1. early
  2. premature
  3. unexpected
  4. sudden
  5. inopportune
Adjective
  • This helps explain why intelligent, experienced leaders can continue producing results while missing the early signs that their judgment, relationships, health, or influence are beginning to slide.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As statewide early voting draws to a close this weekend for the August 2026 primary election, Michigan election officials say more than 1 million voters have already cast their ballots.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • Jehan acknowledges there's no silver bullet to prevent premature births.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Vehicle emissions can cause lung damage and worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, and have been linked to heart disease, cancer and premature death.
    — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
Definition of premature
Adjective
  • Before Graves was appointed in December 2022, Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin served as interim chief for several months following former Chief Rick Smith’s unexpected retirement.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Your donation will help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses and other unexpected costs, allowing the Brown family to focus on healing and being together.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adjective
  • All of a sudden, Ned seems to regain his memories of Peter just as the film ends.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Conversely, a significant number of patients who experience sudden cardiac death likely did not have that abnormal measurement.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies are in the final days before the MLB trade deadline searching for answers to an offense that has stalled at an inopportune time.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • American fans will rue the fact that such a feel-good story ended in embarrassment on and off the field as a US president who loves the spotlight seized it at an inopportune time and then a promising team crashed out in the worst way possible.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of inopportune

Browse Nearby Words

untimeliness
untimely
untired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untimely. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on untimely

Nglish: Translation of untimely for Spanish Speakers

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