ill-timed
/'il'taimd/
Definition
Adjective: * Badly timed; occurring or done at an inappropriate or inconvenient time. This word describes an action, event, or remark that happens when it is not suitable, opportune, or welcome.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: To describe an action or event that is poorly scheduled.
- The CEO's announcement of layoffs was ill-timed, coming right before the holidays.
- His attempt to start a serious conversation was ill-timed as she was rushing out the door.
- Describing Remarks: Often used for comments or jokes that are inappropriate for the moment.
- She made an ill-timed joke during the solemn ceremony.
- The politician's criticism of the relief efforts was widely seen as ill-timed and insensitive.
Advanced Usage
- Formal/Descriptive Contexts: Can be used in more formal writing or detailed descriptions to critique the timing of something.
- The report criticized the ill-timed release of the sensitive documents, which caused unnecessary market panic.
Variants and Related Words
- Untimely (adjective): Happening or done at an unsuitable time; premature. Often used for negative events like death.
- He met an untimely end.
- Inopportune (adjective): Not appropriate or convenient for a particular situation. Very similar in meaning but can sound slightly more formal.
- He called at an inopportune moment.
- Unseasonable (adjective): Not typical of or appropriate for the season. Can be used metaphorically for things not suited to the time.
- Unseasonable warmth in winter. (literal)
- An unseasonable request. (metaphorical)
Synonyms
- Inconvenient
- Inappropriate (in terms of timing)
- Badly timed
- Unfortunate (in its timing)
Antonyms
- Well-timed
- Timely
- Opportune
- Convenient
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To have a sense of timing: To have an instinct for doing things at the right moment. An ill-timed action shows a lack of this sense.
- A good comedian must have a perfect sense of timing.
- To pick one's moment: To choose a suitable time carefully. An ill-timed action is the opposite.
- He should have picked his moment more carefully before asking for a raise.
Adjective
-
badly timed
-
an ill-timed intervention
-
you think my intrusion unseasonable
-
an untimely remark
-
it was the wrong moment for a joke
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ tương tự
Từ gần giống
