PREMATURELY Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

prematurely

adverb

Definition of prematurely

as in early

before the usual or expected time a baby born three weeks prematurely

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 prematurely The World Nuclear Association said restarting nuclear reactors should be celebrated, but preventing them from closing prematurely would be the best option. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 In September, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had prematurely halted the rule, finding that the FCC must issue a decision on the Democratic candidates’ petition for review before the appeals court can get involved. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 The drugs cause side effects like fatigue and joint pain, which lead many patients to stop treatment prematurely. — Allessandra Dicorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 The name comes from the macabre pop-culture reference, the 27 Club, whose members include a group of musicians who died prematurely at that age. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Cath died in her sleep in June, another life ended prematurely by this cruel disease. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Enforcing rigid standards prematurely—as early Space Development Agency (SDA) mandates demonstrated—can freeze sub-optimal designs and throttle rapid tech iteration. — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Infested fruits often drop from the tree prematurely, and apple maggot larvae eventually tunnel out to pupate and overwinter in the soil. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prematurely

early

Adverb

The latest demonstrations, held Saturday, encouraged Americans to vote early in the upcoming midterm elections.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Some began working for Union Pacific as early as the 1950s, in jobs that included track maintenance, signal maintenance, conducting and engineering.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of early

Browse Nearby Words

premature

prematurely

prematureness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prematurely

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes