before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

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 before
Preposition
Advertisement Long before Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin wanted to Make Russia Great Again. Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025 The Angels lost, 10-3, to the A’s on Friday night, in a game played before 8,484 fans at the Triple-A park the A’s have borrowed while their new home in Las Vegas is under construction. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025 Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025 But this time, seemingly almost everyone was out there getting work in hours before the first pitch. Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • The major inciting incident saw Carano sharing a post from another account that seemingly compared the treatment of conservatives in the U.S. during the COVID pandemic to that of Jewish people during Nazi-era Germany.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Bipolar disorder also can co-exist with post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction, which adds another layer to treating people with the disorder.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Preposition
  • The New York Times reported Friday that Trump signed a directive instructing the Pentagon to prepare for military operations against Latin American drug cartels that the U.S. has designated as global terrorist organizations.
    Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Actually, with rookie starter Carlos Narvaez suffering what appeared to be a strained knee in Tuesday's game against the Royals, the Boston catcher position from top to bottom suddenly looks shaky.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Prior to the summit, analysts were already casting doubt on the talks advancing any real ceasefire in Ukraine.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The decision to add to the more than 1,400 troops already on wildfire duty came as authorities struggled to contain forest blazes.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • The new Trump administration policy also seeks to limit the authority of state officials in enforcing their own environmental rules related to the construction or operation of spaceports.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Carbon Credits Meet DeFi Toucan Protocol’s tokenization of carbon offsets addresses opacity and liquidity constraints in voluntary carbon markets.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Suarez then curled in a gorgeous cross to De Paul that the Argentine newcomer tucked away, marking his first goal since joining the Herons and negating Pumas attacker Jorge Ruvalcaba’s opener 11 minutes earlier.
    Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Two years earlier, two grandchildren of George Halas sold their shares in the team back to the family; and the team used proceeds from the sale to Ryan and McKenna to help pay down debt burdens.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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