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Glite Dictionary
untimely

untimely

34 5.3
Happening at a bad time, often earlier than expected
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈtaɪmli/
translation icon : inoportuno
  • We lay these brothers to rest with this promise that their untimely end shall not go unaccounted for.
  • an untimely death
  • an untimely demise

I did remain good friends with Marshall till his untimely death.

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Examples

  • The untimely rainstorm ruined our picnic plans.

  • Thank you for joining us in mourning Randolph's untimely passing.

    The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

  • Yes, before his untimely death.

    Missing Link (2019)

  • The life and untimely death of a great legend.

    Rango (2011)

  • But it was an certainly an untimely and shocking end to his life.

  • In "Errand," one of the last stories published before his untimely death from cancer.

    Academic text (1993)

  • It's a really weird coincidence that this marriage was only made possible by the untimely death of Anthony's wife.

  • If there even is a next book, it will open with Lovemore receiving the tragic news of his untimely death.

    The Lost City (2022)

  • The untimely death of the Queen's father, George VI, meant that Philip had to hang up his uniform and be there just two steps behind the Queen.

    Princes of the Palace - The Royal British Family (2016)

  • The painting was shown at the memorial exhibition organized following Danhauser's untimely death in 1845.

    Academic text (2014)

Synonyms

too early
vsuntimely
241 1.0

Before the right time to do something

is about wrong timing often because it happens at a bad moment
premature
vsuntimely
120 4.5

Happening before the usual time or before it is ready

is about bad or inappropriate timing more generally, not only earliness
inopportune
vsuntimely
8 7.3

Happening at a bad time

focuses more on being earlier or unwanted than mere inconvenience
ill-timed
vsuntimely
3 5.5

Happening at a bad time that causes problems

is often specifically earlier than expected rather than only unsuitable
unseasonable
vsuntimely
1 5.9

Happening at a time when it is not right

stresses being earlier or badly timed rather than seasonal mismatch
malapropos
vsuntimely
9.9

An action or comment not suitable and happening at a bad time

highlights timing that is often earlier or unwanted rather than general awkwardness

Antonyms

timely
111 3.0

Happening at the right time to be useful

opportune
13 6.8

Happening at a good time to be useful

How Timely

opportune
13 6.8
timely
111 3.0
untimely
34 5.3
premature
120 4.5

Surface Forms

untimely positive

Morphology

untimely = timely (transparent) = un + time + ly

The meaning is a straightforward negation of 'timely', with no major sense shift.

Etymology

The word untimely is made from un- ('not') and timely, which comes from time and means 'at the right time'. So something untimely happens 'not at the right time', often earlier or at a bad time.