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
Democrats in the state Senate have proposed a constitutional amendment to permit mid-decade redistricting, but this would require a referendum that could only be held in 2027 at the earliest, City and State reported.
—
Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
As the preseason continues this week, the veteran lineman is likely going to remain out of pads until Week 1 at the earliest.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Devers won’t play first base in first half due to back
Manager Bob Melvin said that Devers won’t play first base until the second half at the earliest due to his lingering back injury.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
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Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
As the preseason continues this week, the veteran lineman is likely going to remain out of pads until Week 1 at the earliest.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Devers won’t play first base in first half due to back
Manager Bob Melvin said that Devers won’t play first base until the second half at the earliest due to his lingering back injury.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 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 1 Sep. 2025.
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