untimely
11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for untimely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Happening at a bad or inconvenient moment.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use untimely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
untimely death
untimely demise
untimely end
Etymology
Came into English via Middle English untymely (also earlier untimliche), made up of un- and timely. It is first attested in the early 13th century. Compare Middle Danish utimelig and Old English untídlic (“unseasonable”).
Full origin of untimely →Frequently asked questions
What does “untimely” mean?
The word “untimely” means happening at a bad or inconvenient moment. In plain terms, badly timed, or coming earlier than it should have — often used about death.
How do you pronounce “untimely”?
“Untimely” is pronounced uhn-TYM-lee (/ʌnˈtaɪmli/ in IPA).
How do you use “untimely” in a sentence?
Here is “untimely” used in a sentence: “The announcement came at an untimely moment, right before the holidays.”
What is another word for “untimely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “untimely” include untimeless, ill-timed, intempestive, inopportune, mistimed and timeless.
What is the opposite of “untimely”?
The opposite of “untimely” — its antonyms — are opportune and timely.
What part of speech is “untimely”?
“Untimely” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “untimely” have?
“Untimely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening at a bad or inconvenient moment.
