Definitions

untimely

[uhn-tahym-lee] / ʌnˈtaɪm li /

ADJECTIVE

inappropriate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ill-timed improper premature undue unfortunate

WEAK

a bit previous abortive anachronistic awkward badly timed bright and early disagreeable early early bird early on inauspicious inconvenient inexpedient inopportune intrusive malapropos mistimed out-of-date overearly oversoon previous soon too early too late unfavorable unfit unlucky unpropitious unseasonable unseemly unsuitable unsuited wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appropriate good suitable

WEAK

opportune timely

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The past week has been Cleveland’s untimely introduction to their new star’s Dr. Jekyll-and-Mr.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The main character grapples with the untimely death of his mother as he navigates a new, possibly treacherous, relationship.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Leicester's Adam Radwan's hopes of inclusion had been ended by an untimely leg injury.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Perhaps you have feelings about MTV’s untimely alleged passing on Jan. 1.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026

A creature of an older world maybe it was, whose kind, lingering in forgotten mountains cold beneath the Moon, outstayed their day, and in hideous eyrie bred this last untimely brood, apt to evil.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Vocabulary lists containing untimely

Romeo and Juliet

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"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)

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The Tragedy of Macbeth

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