at the earliest
idiom
—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done
The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.
Examples of at the earliest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The tech industry is investing in advanced nuclear power, but these technologies are not expected to reach commercial scale until the 2030s at the earliest.
—
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
As Kering and Valentino restructure, the current ownership of the couture house, controlled by Mayhoola, will not change before 2028 at the earliest — an amendment to their shareholders’ agreement, inked at the time of Kering’s acquisition of a stake in Valentino in 2023.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Tatum has not ruled out a possible return this season, but that wouldn’t happen until spring at the earliest, by which point the new-look C’s could be out of contention.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Berger reiterates a statement that received some news play earlier this week, which is that the movie won't come to streaming until next year at the earliest.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
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Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
As Kering and Valentino restructure, the current ownership of the couture house, controlled by Mayhoola, will not change before 2028 at the earliest — an amendment to their shareholders’ agreement, inked at the time of Kering’s acquisition of a stake in Valentino in 2023.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Tatum has not ruled out a possible return this season, but that wouldn’t happen until spring at the earliest, by which point the new-look C’s could be out of contention.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Berger reiterates a statement that received some news play earlier this week, which is that the movie won't come to streaming until next year at the earliest.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
Cite this Entry
“At the earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20earliest. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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