at the earliest

phrase

—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

Based on that timeline, Gueye’s re-evaluation won’t happen until mid-October at the earliest. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

If the official doesn’t resign, the City Council must order an election at the earliest date permitted under state law. — Emily Holshouser july 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

If ChatGPT’s 2022 launch is the equivalent of the PC’s 1981 debut, that J-curve puts the productivity payoff arriving around 2030 at the earliest, and peaking around 2034. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 July 2026

If the tests are reinstated, the policy would not take effect until the fall 2028 application period at the earliest. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026