as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time
their inopportune arrival before the house was cleaned
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Recent Examples of inopportune
While tantrums seem to come out of nowhere, striking with speed and intensity at the most inopportune times, scientists have been zeroing in on the buildup that can be underway for some time before an eruption.
—
Michelle Fay Cortez, Bloomberg, 5 Jan. 2026
These efforts to restrict renewables are remarkably inopportune, given increasing infrastructure costs, the growing need to protect against extreme weather, and a boom in power-thirsty data centers used for AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
So, after the harshest conditions, the most inopportune circumstances, these prehistoric Europeans evolved to survive to the point of impacting time by passing down these genes that are enabling modern-day Italians to live past 100 years old.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
But both schools found themselves in an inopportune position.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inopportune
Michelle Fay Cortez, Bloomberg, 5 Jan. 2026
These efforts to restrict renewables are remarkably inopportune, given increasing infrastructure costs, the growing need to protect against extreme weather, and a boom in power-thirsty data centers used for AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
So, after the harshest conditions, the most inopportune circumstances, these prehistoric Europeans evolved to survive to the point of impacting time by passing down these genes that are enabling modern-day Italians to live past 100 years old.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
But both schools found themselves in an inopportune position.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inopportune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inopportune
Adjective
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From familiar faces to unexpected challengers, here’s who’s running for Senate and Congress.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
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His Penguins are making an unexpected romp toward the Stanley Cup playoffs in a season they were expected to finish near the bottom of the NHL standings.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Early on in cosmic history, the Universe was composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, as no substantial quantities of heavier elements were formed during the early stages of the hot Big Bang.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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And since leaving prison in early January, the preacher has wasted no time in spreading his gospel in a tranche of new songs published on his social media platforms.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Broadus' infant daughter, Codi, died earlier this month, after suffering several health complications following a premature birth.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Fertilizer may trigger a premature growth spurt, too.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of analyzing every detail in a scene, the human brain quickly detects sudden motion or change and reacts first.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Demand for cross-border relocation, residency planning and citizenship consultancy services is being driven by geopolitical tensions and sudden policy shifts, advisers who work with ultra-high-net-worth clients told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, the franchise has repeatedly reiterated that Brian is canonically alive, and Brian's last film appearance utilized Walker's brothers as stand-ins, so there is precedent for the character appearing on screen despite of the actor's untimely death.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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As much as people try to avoid it (and not contribute to it), the untimely animal deaths are an unfortunate, inevitable byproduct of a society reliant on cars.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But the precocious freshman point guard also felt like that stretch sounded a warning alarm inside of him.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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The defenseman sees in Sennecke a precocious kid who always wants to make something happen, and an ability to quickly move beyond the plays that don’t work or a rough game.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inopportune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inopportune. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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