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
However, due to various reasons, the rocket will not fly again until September 2025 at the earliest.
—
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 July 2024
An outcome in the arbitration is not expected until the fourth quarter at the earliest.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 July 2024
Ovens vary widely, so start checking your loaves at the earliest time in the range.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 27 June 2024
There won’t be any movement, at the earliest, until next year’s legislative session.
—Ashley Okwuosa, The Examination | Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Zoe Jaeger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Amy Yurkanin, Al.com, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the earliest 
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 July 2024
An outcome in the arbitration is not expected until the fourth quarter at the earliest.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 July 2024
Ovens vary widely, so start checking your loaves at the earliest time in the range.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 27 June 2024
There won’t be any movement, at the earliest, until next year’s legislative session.
—Ashley Okwuosa, The Examination | Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Zoe Jaeger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Amy Yurkanin, Al.com, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the earliest
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the earliest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 27 Jul. 2024.
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