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
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Recent Examples of early
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Mallet-Guy has worked with Farhadi on all of his films starting with and since The Past, having originally connected with the director as the French distributor of his earlier titles including About Elly and A Separation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
But that would echo another decision — The Decision — from earlier in his career.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The 84-year-old is suspected to have been abducted from her bedroom in the early morning hours.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Mallet-Guy has worked with Farhadi on all of his films starting with and since The Past, having originally connected with the director as the French distributor of his earlier titles including About Elly and A Separation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Adverb
Sony Pictures announced earlier this year that Storrie would be guest starring in the sci-fi series’ fifth season, and the viral actor’s episode finally premiered on May 15.
—Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
But that would echo another decision — The Decision — from earlier in his career.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
In addition to traditional treatments, there are holistic therapies like sound healing, Reiki, and shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
There are both national and individual narratives for an ancient object or work of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
On the contrary, life insurance or disability insurance could help you or your family pay for other needs if something unexpected happens, including expenses like loans.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
As the novel progresses, the two tracks collide in unexpected ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adverb
-
The 6-3, 318-pound Hunter, mostly a run-stuffer in college, immediately becomes an important piece on Ejiro Evero’s defense until Wharton returns.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The airport said that the runway was immediately shut down and that emergency construction crews are on site to determine the cause of the sinkhole and make repairs.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The primitive crops were critical to early agriculture and, in more recent times, have been a cheaper alternative to animal proteins.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
18 May 2026
-
However, several primitive campsites, boat ramps, and fishing piers sprinkled across the area give plenty of access to enjoy the lake at your leisure.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
While some people claim lemon juice and olive oil can detoxify your body, improve digestion, treat kidney stones and joint pain, and prevent premature aging and cardiovascular disease, no evidence supports these health claims.—
Michelle Pugle,
Verywell Health,
19 May 2026
-
For the moment, though, his gloomy diagnosis is decidedly premature, and the economic realities tell us why.—
Ilan Berman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adverb
-
This emphasis on wholesome working-class respectability is heedless of the ’60s rushing toward them, a decade that, by 1958, the other counselors have prematurely embraced.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
-
Uneven moisture can cause fruit to drop prematurely, so maintain even soil moisture through the fruiting season.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Great hordes of prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs also are coming in to spawn.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
-
And intriguing earthen mounds, built by prehistoric Native Americans more than 1,000 years ago, dot Greenwood Village interpretive site.—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lake Baikal, often described as an inland sea because of its enormous size, is notorious for sudden storms and icy conditions even during tourist season, according to National Geographic.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
About 50,000 Americans experience sudden retinal detachment each year, requiring urgent surgery to avoid permanent vision loss.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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