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Definition of prematurenext
as in early
occurring before the usual or expected time his premature arrival at his own surprise party almost ruined everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 premature Lucille Horn — who survived premature birth thanks to early medical innovation — spent her later years advocating for neonatal care, helping countless children. Norman B. Gildin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026 Following their daughters' premature birth in May 2025, Nelson and Foster, 27, were able to bring their daughters home weeks later in June. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026 However, the premature exit wasn’t out of spite. Jack Dunn, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026 Winnie was expected to give birth in late January, but the baby was born premature on Saturday. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for premature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for premature
Adjective
  • Borrego Palm Canyon is also showing early signs of bloom.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
  • In early September, with the multiple hijackings organized by Haddad and a final confrontation with King Hussein’s forces both looming, the Popular Front leaders in Amman decided that the foreign volunteers were a liability and arranged for them to be bussed back to Lebanon out of harm’s way.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer teased an untimely fate for Steve Harrington during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; following the finale, clips of a table read for that pivotal scene have been making the rounds.
    Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The minister and founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference led the Civil Rights movement from the mid-1950s through the 1960s until his untimely death in Memphis.
    Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The whimsical cover introduces readers to Saffy and Lumo, two best friends whose devotion to their favorite foods leads to an unexpected, and very literal, transformation.
    Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • While the ordeal was incredibly frustrating for Johnson, updates on his unusual guest have been an unexpected distraction and obsession for a community that has lost so much.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Other affected customers, like KHOU meteorologist Pat Calvin, noted how the sudden technological disconnect felt like the return of a bygone era.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
  • No one is going to care about short-term interest rates if the dollar starts tanking or there is a sudden and widespread loss of confidence in the Fed’s ability to maintain inflation low and labor markets stable over the long-term.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Chase played the fast-talking and precocious Martin Qwerly on the Nickelodeon teen sitcom Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide across the full three-season series run.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Playing the precocious Arnold Jackson, Coleman was the breakout star of Diff'rent Strokes.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The timing is inopportune for MNUFC.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/premature. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

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