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 nation simply couldn't believe that Sanders would be, at the earliest, the sixth quarterback taken in the draft, after Jalen Milroe out of Alabama went to the Seahawks at 92 and Dillon Gabriel went to the Browns at 94.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation isn't expected to hold a confirmation vote for him until April 28 at the earliest, according to CNN.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The case involving Chiles in Colorado could lead to oral arguments this fall, but the decision will likely not be made until 2026 at the earliest.
Update 3/25/25, 11:50 a.m.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
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Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation isn't expected to hold a confirmation vote for him until April 28 at the earliest, according to CNN.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The case involving Chiles in Colorado could lead to oral arguments this fall, but the decision will likely not be made until 2026 at the earliest.
Update 3/25/25, 11:50 a.m.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.
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