Definitions Related words Mentions Lyrics History

Literary notes about Inopportune (AI summary)

The word "inopportune" in literature often carries a dual sense of untimeliness and misalignment with expected social or natural rhythms. In Doña Perfecta, Galdós uses it to intensify a vehement harangue [1], while Dumas and Maquet describe an unwelcome apparition interrupting domestic plans [2]. Hardy applies it even to nature, remarking on the misplaced appearance of mistletoe [3]. Montaigne broadens its scope by suggesting that one should actively deny every ill-timed action [4], a sentiment that echoes in Chekhov’s portrayal of conversational missteps [5] and Eliot’s criticism of imprudent behavior, such as abrupt departures [6]. Further, both Helen Keller and Eliot use the term to denote intrusive or poorly timed cultural phenomena, from meddlesome reporters to the grim prospect of an untimely decease [7, 8]. In these varied contexts, "inopportune" serves as a precise tool to underscore the disruption caused by poor timing in both human actions and the natural order.
  1. perorata f (inopportune) harangue.
    — from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
  2. I must stay and follow the advice of my hostess, while thwarting the conjugal designs of this inopportune apparition.”
    — from Twenty years after by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  3. How foolish and inopportune that mistletoe looked now.
    — from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy
  4. A man must deny opportunity to every inopportune action.
    — from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne
  5. " In Lida's presence she was always a little timid, and looked at her nervously as she talked, afraid of saying something superfluous or inopportune.
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  6. And as it is, I think I will pardon you for running away in an inopportune manner, and giving your friends no notice.
    — from The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
  7. I suppose the calls of the stupid and curious, especially of newspaper reporters, are always inopportune.
    — from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
  8. "That would be unlucky," said Mrs. Tulliver, entering thoroughly into the possibility of an inopportune decease.
    — from The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy