as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time
their inopportune arrival before the house was cleaned
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 inopportune
The trouble is that Congress and the president are willing to consider its passage only during maximally inopportune moments like the present.
—
Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2022
Roope Hintz’s recent upper-body injury came at an inopportune time.
—Peter Warren, Dallas News, 31 Jan. 2023
Democrats publicly and privately conceded that the stunning development was at best an unwelcome distraction at an inopportune time that muddies the case against Donald Trump.
—Steve Peoples, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2023
From a strictly business perspective, CNN boss Jeff Zucker’s sudden departure Wednesday could not have come at a more inopportune time.
—Vulture, 3 Feb. 2022
See all Example Sentences for inopportune 
Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2022
Roope Hintz’s recent upper-body injury came at an inopportune time.
—Peter Warren, Dallas News, 31 Jan. 2023
Democrats publicly and privately conceded that the stunning development was at best an unwelcome distraction at an inopportune time that muddies the case against Donald Trump.
—Steve Peoples, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2023
From a strictly business perspective, CNN boss Jeff Zucker’s sudden departure Wednesday could not have come at a more inopportune time.
—Vulture, 3 Feb. 2022
See all Example Sentences for inopportune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inopportune
Adjective
-
Fictional superhero Helen Parr, better known as Elastigirl from The Incredibles (2004), has become an unexpected body inspiration on social media.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Allow vines to climb to unexpected areas and create dense plantings that make a yard look established.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Bath & Body Works rewards program members will have early access on the retailer's website and in the Bath & Body Works app starting Feb. 11 and 12.—
Felecia Wellington Radel,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
There have been enough executive orders to fill a small library and absolutely no indication that Trump will leave office when his four years are up in early 2029, Constitution be damned.—
Tony Maglio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If Ukraine is forced into a premature settlement without adequate safeguards, other U.S. allies—including those in NATO and the Indo-Pacific—would be reasonable to question the reliability of American commitments.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Studying how music therapy for extremely premature babies can boost their health outcomes.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
At least one judge has already found that the administration did defy his order on the reversal of the wide-ranging and sudden federal funding freeze.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for a final viewing of the TV shows who met an untimely death this year.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Bob Saget served as the series narrator, voicing Future Ted Mosby, before his untimely death in 2022.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Well, at age 7, O'Brien won a special juvenile Oscar for playing Garland’s precocious kid sister in the film.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Robert Eggers first encountered F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu at the precocious age of 9 after seeing a photo of Max Schreck in costume as Count Orlok, an unauthorized take on Dracula who’s gone on to become as iconic as any rendition of Bram Stoker’s vampire.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near inopportune
Cite this Entry
“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inopportune. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share