Premature

EARLY

Think of a word that describes something happening before the expected or usual time, like a sunrise before dawn.

"Premature" simply means happening before the expected or usual time, which directly points to "early." The clue is straightforward with no hidden wordplay—it’s a direct synonym. If you think of "premature" as describing something arriving ahead of schedule, like a baby born before its due date, "early" fits perfectly as the answer. No tricks, just a clear match between the clue and the solution.