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
Analysts expect the testing program to extend into the middle of this year at the earliest.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Because Wednesday is the deadline to request measures for the June 2 municipal ballot, the council’s action effectively means the proposal wouldn’t be available until the November election at the earliest.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
People who claimed either the EITC or the ACTC won't get their refund until March 2, at the earliest, the IRS said Monday.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
According to The Post, government lawyers told the publication that Natanson’s phone contacts, emails and other records would not be substantively reviewed until this week at the earliest, which explains why The Post went to court on Wednesday.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
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.
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Because Wednesday is the deadline to request measures for the June 2 municipal ballot, the council’s action effectively means the proposal wouldn’t be available until the November election at the earliest.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
People who claimed either the EITC or the ACTC won't get their refund until March 2, at the earliest, the IRS said Monday.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
According to The Post, government lawyers told the publication that Natanson’s phone contacts, emails and other records would not be substantively reviewed until this week at the earliest, which explains why The Post went to court on Wednesday.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
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 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
