ahead of

preposition

Definition of ahead ofnext
1
as in before
earlier than always arrives at school ahead of the bus we were cautioned not to fill out any of the test answers ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in in advance of
preceding in space the three lost children emerged from the forest, with the family dog walking proudly ahead of them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ahead of The Dolphins are averaging 58,719 in two home games (against Kansas City and Cincinnati), which ranks 31st in the NFL, ahead of only Jacksonville (56,782). — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Speaking to Variety ahead of the market, Mackinnon says the show takes its title from the chronic burnout that afflicts emergency workers on the job. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Trump’s remarks about the Kansas law enforcement came as news broke not long before that a local man will be facing a federal charge for allegedly threatening to shoot the president ahead of his Wichita rally. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Showcase your best memories of the year by printing photos ahead of time, then add one each day to create a complete display. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ahead of
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ahead of
  1. before
  2. against
  3. prior to
  4. to
Preposition
  • Assembly Republican Leader Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, did not explicitly say that the governor should hold off on commuting sentences, but urged him to consider the parents who had to bury their children before making the decision.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Those earlier tests helped engineers evaluate the system before moving to a live missile flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of before
Preposition
  • The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But while critics on the Israeli right railed against the deal, Netanyahu’s deputies worked behind the scenes to preserve it, according to correspondence obtained by TIME.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of against
Preposition
  • This kind of energized base was even what regime officials were worried about losing right prior to this conflict.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Under the City Charter, those commissioners have the power to remove the police chief at any time prior to the expiration of the chief’s term.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of prior to
Preposition
  • That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The alternate versions certainly add extra bite, and a few outtakes could have made it to the main tracklist.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

ahead
ahead of
aid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ahead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ahead%20of. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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