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

The next generation of the SUV, which would have been the first to offer an electric powertrain option, has been pushed back two years to 2030 at the earliest. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Some believe Arnold will be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list at some point after he is signed, disallowing him from participating in regular-season games until his October court date, at the earliest. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Arun Dawson, a researcher at the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King’s College London, said the news won’t help Ukraine through this winter and likely won’t start having an effect until next year, at the earliest. — Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Arun Dawson, a researcher at the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King’s College London, said the news won't help Ukraine through this winter and likely won’t start having an effect until next year, at the earliest. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026