untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē How to pronounce untimely (audio)
Synonyms of untimelynext
1
: at an inopportune time : unseasonably
2
: before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely
went untimely to the grave

untimely

2 of 2

adjective

1
: inopportune, unseasonable
an untimely joke
untimely frost
2
: occurring or done before the due, natural, or proper time : too early : premature
an untimely death
untimeliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of untimely in a Sentence

Adjective the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Following her husband’s untimely death in 1967, Zelma Redding — also president/founder of the Otis Redding Foundation — has remained committed to fulfilling their vision of giving back to the community by enriching young people through the arts. — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2025 Before the film debuted on screen, producer Jennifer Hutchins made a poignant speech about working with Trachtenberg and how her performance impacted the cast before her untimely death. — Esther Kang, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025 One year after his initial disappearance, the untimely death of 22-year-old Missouri student Riley Strain is still on the minds of many in his home state and Nashville, where his accidental death prompted officials to take action to make the city safer. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 After her untimely death, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone, in an Oscar-winning performance) is brought back to life through a radical scientific experiment conducted by the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). — Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for untimely

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of untimely was in the 13th century

Rhymes for untimely

See All Rhymes for untimely

Browse Nearby Words

untimbered
untimely
untimeous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

untimely

adjective
un·​time·​ly
ˌən-ˈtīm-lē,
ˈən-
1
: occurring or done before the expected, natural, or proper time : premature
untimely death
2
: coming at the wrong time
an untimely joke

Legal Definition

untimely

adjective
un·​time·​ly
ˌən-ˈtīm-lē
: not timely
especially : not made or filed within a period of time specified by procedural rule
an untimely petition
untimeliness noun
untimely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on untimely

Nglish: Translation of untimely for Spanish Speakers

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