TIMELY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

timely

adjective

ˈtīm-lē

Definition of timely

as in seasonable

especially suitable for a certain time a timely invitation to lunch that came just as I was starting to feel hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay when I order a pizza, I expect it to be delivered in a timely manner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 timely The report emphasizes the need for companies to better understand workforce capabilities, align learning and development with business priorities, and provide timely support so employees have the skills needed to succeed. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 The Postal Service has mostly ensured the timely delivery of hundreds of millions of ballots, even as mail volume overall has dropped 50% from its high in 2006. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026 Anyone hoping for timely debate over the purpose or efficacy of the criminal justice system is bound to be disappointed. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Activities include a hands-on lighting workshop, an exclusive Icon Talk with Libatique, and a timely panel discussion on the female gaze in cinematography. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for timely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for timely

Adjective

Temperatures will remain seasonable, with afternoons in the mid to upper 60s.

— Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Dry and pleasant conditions are forecast to continue into Monday with no mentionable rain chances along with seasonable afternoon temperatures anticipated.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of seasonable

Adjective

The Royals made swift changes by reassigning hitting coach Alec Zumwalt and clearing out their entire training staff.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The storm on Wednesday that may have spawned a tornado was one in a barrage of strong storms across Southern California this week that caused localized flooding, strong rains and high winds, including a swift-water rescue in Los Angeles.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of swift

Adjective

And what is the appropriate adjudication and justice for that kind of behavior?

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The team of Berg and Bissinger seems appropriate here since both gave us that classic of Texas football, Friday Night Lights, and now find a new uniquely moving connection to the sport and the young men who played it.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of appropriate

Adjective

Despite the uncharacteristically prompt arrivals, an unhurried air of European hospitality permeated the event, which was hosted by chairman Leonardo Ferragamo and creative director Maximilian Davis.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
In an indirect prompt injection, an attacker hides instructions in content an AI agent will come across while doing a task—a web page or a forum post, for instance—hoping to hijack the agent.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of prompt

Adjective

Any function whose work can be pointed at a proper model of its underlying business, instead of at a general-purpose language model, is starting to compound the same way Anthropic’s engineering did a year ago.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of proper

Browse Nearby Words

timeliness

timely

time-out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Timely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timely. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of timely

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes