inopportune

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˌä-pər-ˈtün How to pronounce inopportune (audio)
Definition of inopportunenext
as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time their inopportune arrival before the house was cleaned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inopportune The ultra-violent mayhem simply doesn’t fit well with such comic touches as Hank continuing to carry the parakeet in the birdcage around even while being chased by the bad guys and Ben experiencing a panic attack at an inopportune moment. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Knowing how to recognize the signs that your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan can save you from an inconvenient breakdown (or worse, water damage) at an inopportune moment. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 The accusation comes at an inopportune time, when Microsoft is trying to optimize Windows 11 for 8GB of RAM and PC makers are developing less expensive hardware to compete with Apple’s MacBook Neo. — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies are in the final days before the MLB trade deadline searching for answers to an offense that has stalled at an inopportune time. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inopportune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inopportune
  1. unexpected
  2. early
  3. premature
  4. sudden
  5. untimely
  6. precocious
Adjective
  • The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Be especially cautious about unexpected texts or calls that arrive afterward.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adjective
  • In this golden age of cringe, that earlier art of transgression—with its tense silences, humiliations, and hostile disturbance of the performer-audience relationship—was channeled downstream.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That earlier aircraft established a historical precedent for using the Hercules platform in this specialized role.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • When filing may be premature Document the loss and the policy issue first, then pull together the communications that show where the insurer stood.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The commission also declined costs for storage pipeline replacement projects after finding premature plans and uncertain timelines, and for the customer service order tracker after the MPSC did not find the company producing cost-savings data.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of premature
Adjective
  • All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a conversation, bit of news, or sudden change of perspective impossible to ignore.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • The Dolphins also must reduce the untimely penalties, especially among veterans, who are committing too many errors.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And, the website polled those folks in August, before Dolphins fans knew the pain of losing to the Vikings without allowing a touchdown or Chop Robinson materializing just in time for an untimely penalty.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of untimely
Adjective
  • The rookie’s performance called to mind what linebackers coach Frank Bush had said last week about his precocious pupil.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Eddie saw a fiery, competitive streak in his younger brother at a precocious age.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of precocious

Browse Nearby Words

inoperative
inopportune
inopportunely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inopportune. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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