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
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
Williams and McCray-Ball won't be eligible to return to game action until Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals at the earliest.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
They could also be sent on missions to land at the Moon's south pole, with the first Artemis lunar landing targeted for mid-2027 at the earliest.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
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.
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
Williams and McCray-Ball won't be eligible to return to game action until Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals at the earliest.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
They could also be sent on missions to land at the Moon's south pole, with the first Artemis lunar landing targeted for mid-2027 at the earliest.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 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 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share