If you describe something as inopportune or if you say that it happens at an inopportune time, you mean that it happens at an unfortunate or unsuitable time, and causes trouble or embarrassment because of this.
The dismissals came at an inopportune time.
Synonyms: inconvenient, unfortunate, inappropriate, unsuitable More Synonyms of inopportune
inopportune in British English
(ɪnˈɒpəˌtjuːn)
adjective
not opportune; inappropriate or badly timed
Derived forms
inopportunely (inˈopporˌtunely)
adverb
inopportuneness (inˈopporˌtuneness) or inopportunity (inˌopporˈtunity)
noun
inopportune in American English
(ɪnˌɑpərˈtun; ɪnˌɑpərˈtjun)
adjective
not opportune; coming or happening at a poor time; not appropriate
Derived forms
inopportunely (inˌopporˈtunely)
adverb
inopportuneness (inˌopporˈtuneness)
noun
Word origin
L inopportunus
Examples of 'inopportune' in a sentence
inopportune
Same with her car, which had a way of breaking down at the most inopportune of spots.
Barbara Delinsky SUDDENLY (1993)
(adjective)
Definition
badly timed or inappropriate
The dismissals came at an inopportune time.
Synonyms
inconvenient
It's very inconvenient to have to wait so long.
unfortunate
Through some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late.
inappropriate
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
unsuitable
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
untimely
Your readers would have seen the article as at best untimely.
unfavourable
Unfavourable economic conditions were blocking a recovery.
mistimed
a certain mistimed comment
inauspicious
The meeting got off to an inauspicious start.
ill-timed
She argued that the tax cut was ill-timed.
ill-chosen
unseasonable
unpropitious
malapropos
Opposites
timely
, appropriate,
convenient
,
suitable
,
fortunate
,
favourable
,
auspicious
,
well-timed
,
opportune
,
seasonable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ill-timed
Definition
done or happening at an unsuitable time
She argued that the tax cut was ill-timed.
Synonyms
inopportune,
inappropriate,
inconvenient,
untimely,
unwelcome,
unseasonable,
awkward
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
inopportune
inoculation
inoffensive
inoperative
inopportune
inordinate
inorganic
input
Synonyms of 'inopportune'
inopportune
Explore 'inopportune' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mistimed
a certain mistimed comment
Synonyms
inopportune,
badly timed,
inconvenient,
untimely,
ill-timed,
unseasonable,
unsynchronized
in the sense of unfavourable
Definition
making a successful or positive outcome unlikely
Unfavourable economic conditions were blocking a recovery.
Synonyms
adverse,
bad,
unfortunate,
disadvantageous,
threatening,
contrary,
unlucky,
ominous,
untimely,
untoward,
unpromising,
unsuited,
inauspicious,
ill-suited,
inopportune,
unseasonable,
unpropitious,
infelicitous
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.
Synonyms
inappropriate,
unacceptable,
unfit,
unfitting,
out of place,
improper,
incompatible,
ineligible,
incongruous,
unseemly,
out of character,
unsuited,
unbecoming,
out of keeping,
unseasonable,
unbefitting,
inapt,
infelicitous,
inapposite
in the sense of untimely
Definition
inappropriate to the occasion or time
Your readers would have seen the article as at best untimely.