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 clubs usually did not get going until 2 in the morning, midnight at the earliest.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
However, the subscription service might not rake in meaningful revenue until next year at the earliest, a source had said.
—Akash Sriram, USA Today, 1 May 2025
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
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.
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
However, the subscription service might not rake in meaningful revenue until next year at the earliest, a source had said.
—Akash Sriram, USA Today, 1 May 2025
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
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 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share