1
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
early birds of the Jurassic period
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time
we had an early dinner so as not to miss the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in immediately
before the usual or expected time
that year spring arrived early
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of early
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Dundon bought the team in early 2018 for $420 million, when the team was finishing its ninth straight season of missing the playoffs.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Another incident was a sit-in protest at San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s office earlier this year, which ended with the arrests of Wong and five others.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
An early festival favorite, director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s political thriller has won acclaim everywhere, from Cannes to the Chicago International Film Festival.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Dundon bought the team in early 2018 for $420 million, when the team was finishing its ninth straight season of missing the playoffs.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
His first basket, a putback early in the fourth quarter, put him above 1,000 points in his 50th career game.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Another incident was a sit-in protest at San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s office earlier this year, which ended with the arrests of Wong and five others.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Tiny Zahara is a delight for those who want to hear only the sounds of the wind, birds, and elderly footsteps on ancient cobbles.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Although its beliefs align with Roman Catholic doctrine, including the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, the church maintains its own distinct, ancient Eastern traditions and identity.—
Gregory Bull,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s a strong hook, but Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke is just getting started with an erotic political tragicomedy that, like a Roomba, is forever veering off in unexpected directions.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
General Daily Insight for March 09, 2026 Cosmic wisdom can guide us to unexpected paths forward.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Authorities said to call 911 immediately.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Iraq’s General Company for Ports was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The aesthetic is plush but also primitive.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Some futurists compare this development to our primitive ancestors’ discovery of fire.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
SpaceX conducted five Starship flight tests in 2025, the first three of which ended in disaster when the vehicle met a premature fiery demise before completing many key objectives.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Yet the condition can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, depression and even premature death if left untreated.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The dismissal prematurely ended what was shaping up to be a strong outing for Brown, who had eight points, seven assists and two rebounds in 15 minutes.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In season one, Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Dating back more than 66 million years to the late Cretaceous period, Trey offers a window into prehistoric life.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Modern threats and conservation Despite its prehistoric resilience, the Old Irish goat now faces a serious modern threat.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Garry Moore, 66, pleaded guilty in January to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, under sudden heat.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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