If you describe an event as untimely, you mean that it happened earlier than it should, or sooner than you expected.
His mother's untimely death had a catastrophic effect on him.
Her untimely return could spoil Miss Melville's entire programme for the evening.
Synonyms: early, premature, before time, unseasonable More Synonyms of untimely
2. adjective
You can describe something as untimely if it happens at an unsuitable time.
...an untimely visit from the milkman.
I am sure your readers would have seen the article as at best untimely.
Synonyms: ill-timed, inappropriate, badly timed, inopportune More Synonyms of untimely
untimely in British English
(ʌnˈtaɪmlɪ)
adjective
1.
occurring before the expected, normal, or proper time
an untimely death
2.
inappropriate to the occasion, time, or season
his joking at the funeral was most untimely
adverb
3.
prematurely or inopportunely
Derived forms
untimeliness (unˈtimeliness)
noun
untimely in American English
(ʌnˈtaɪmli)
adjective
1.
coming, said, done, etc. before the usual or expected time; premature
to come to an untimely end
2.
coming, said, done, etc. at the wrong time; poorly timed; inopportune
adverb
3.
prematurely
4.
inopportunely
Derived forms
untimeliness (unˈtimeliness)
noun
Examples of 'untimely' in a sentence
untimely
It's probably the naivety of youth that resulted in her sad, tragic and untimely death.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This gruesome new series focuses on unexpected mishaps that have caused untimely deaths.
The Sun (2013)
Her untimely death weighs heavily on our hearts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
All three have endured untimely interruptions from snow and ice not seen for a generation.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But has the untimely injury affected him?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The world mourned the untimely passing of another unique and powerful female voice.
The Sun (2012)
Let us mourn his untimely demise.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Over the years, we have seen many bands hit by the untimely death of a member.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Another positive is that the untimely demise of Pulling has inspired some of the finest writing from its creators.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Having triumphantly rebuilt his career, this is an untimely setback for Fallon.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This was his last cinematic performance before his untimely death, which came only days after the film's release.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
After the timely and sometimes untimely deaths of his five siblings, a controlling 60 per cent belonged to his niece.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Both entered the world as bitter disappointments to their fathers, and the birth of each princess was a contributory factor in the untimely death of a parent.
Jane Dunn ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
1 (adjective)
Definition
occurring before the expected or normal time
The president's untimely death had an enormous effect on the whole country.
Synonyms
early
I decided to take early retirement.
premature
a twenty-four-year-old man suffering from premature baldness
before time
unseasonable
Opposites
timely
,
seasonable
2 (adjective)
Definition
inappropriate to the occasion or time
Your readers would have seen the article as at best untimely.
Synonyms
ill-timed
She argued that the tax cut was ill-timed.
inappropriate
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
badly timed
inopportune
The dismissals came at an inopportune time.
unfortunate
Through some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late.
awkward
There was an awkward moment when people had to decide where to stand.
unsuitable
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
inconvenient
It's very inconvenient to have to wait so long.
mistimed
a certain mistimed comment
inauspicious
The meeting got off to an inauspicious start.
Opposites
appropriate,
convenient
,
well-timed
,
opportune
,
welcome
,
suitable
,
fortunate
,
auspicious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of awkward
Definition
embarrassing
There was an awkward moment when people had to decide where to stand.
Synonyms
embarrassing,
difficult,
compromising,
sensitive,
embarrassed,
painful,
distressing,
delicate,
uncomfortable,
tricky,
trying,
humiliating,
unpleasant,
sticky (informal),
troublesome,
perplexing,
disconcerting,
inconvenient,
thorny,
untimely,
ill at ease,
discomfiting,
ticklish,
inopportune,
toe-curling (slang),
barro (Australian, slang),
cringeworthy (British, informal),
cringe-making (British, informal)
in the sense of inappropriate
Definition
not suitable or proper
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
Synonyms
unsuitable,
unacceptable,
unfit,
unfitting,
incompatible,
ineligible,
unsuited,
ill-fitted,
ill-suited
in the sense of inauspicious
Definition
unlucky
The meeting got off to an inauspicious start.
Synonyms
unpromising,
bad,
unfortunate,
discouraging,
unlucky,
ominous,
unfavourable,
black,
untoward,
ill-omened,
unpropitious,
bodeful
Nearby words of
untimely
untidy
untie
until
untimely
untiring
untold
untouched
Synonyms of 'untimely'
untimely
Explore 'untimely' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inconvenient
It's very inconvenient to have to wait so long.
Synonyms
troublesome,
annoying,
awkward,
embarrassing,
disturbing,
unsuitable,
tiresome,
untimely,
bothersome,
vexatious,
inopportune,
disadvantageous,
unseasonable
in the sense of inopportune
Definition
badly timed or inappropriate
The dismissals came at an inopportune time.
Synonyms
inconvenient,
unfortunate,
inappropriate,
unsuitable,
untimely,
unfavourable,
mistimed,
inauspicious,
ill-timed,
ill-chosen,
unseasonable,
unpropitious,
malapropos
in the sense of mistimed
a certain mistimed comment
Synonyms
inopportune,
badly timed,
inconvenient,
untimely,
ill-timed,
unseasonable,
unsynchronized
in the sense of premature
Definition
happening or done before the normal or expected time
a twenty-four-year-old man suffering from premature baldness
Synonyms
early,
untimely,
before time,
unseasonable
in the sense of unfortunate
Definition
caused or accompanied by bad luck
Through some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late.
Synonyms
disastrous,
calamitous,
inopportune,
adverse,
untimely,
unfavourable,
untoward,
ruinous,
ill-starred,
infelicitous,
ill-fated
in the sense of unsuitable
Definition
not right or appropriate for a particular purpose
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.