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
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center continues to push the slow-moving storm — moving forward at just 2 mph on Thursday morning — west through the Central Caribbean through early next week.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The company showed off its new NBA studios at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut earlier this month, with enormous LED walls that Marv Albert could have only dreamed of.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Most inventory ordered by retail will hit store shelves before the worst of the tariffs take hold (like those on China, which will hit in early November), and consumers will do their due diligence by leveraging the web and AI to compare prices.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center continues to push the slow-moving storm — moving forward at just 2 mph on Thursday morning — west through the Central Caribbean through early next week.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Jeri was sworn in earlier this month following the ouster of former President Dina Boluarte.
—CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The company showed off its new NBA studios at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut earlier this month, with enormous LED walls that Marv Albert could have only dreamed of.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
During that time, particles cast off from that ancient body collide with our planet at speeds of up to 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in a magnificent display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Pausing to appreciate ancient petroglyphs or a primrose that blooms for just one day.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their shoes’ aesthetic blends modern minimalism with classic styles that are designed to be subtle enough for everyday wear but with a twist thanks to the footwear’s unexpected details.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
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But on the walk over, the night took an unexpected turn when one of the girls in his group, Holly, broke a heel.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Upon receiving the message, FBI agents immediately headed to the Broberg’s home, beginning a nationwide search for the little girl.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Thankfully, these artificial mums look nearly identical to real ones, and feature small pom-pom-like flowers that are immediately eye-catching.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
An early appearance from the Editor means premature evaluation — a mind interrupting itself just as the creative thoughts were getting fun.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Oct. 2025
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While the Steelers may not win a Super Bowl when all is said and done, starting to count them out in any way, shape, or form after Week 7 is a bit premature.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Niven is dealing with significant neck problems that some are worried could end her professional wrestling career prematurely.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Jasmine Beverley held a funeral service for her son, Sunny Beverley-Conlin, in the city of Hull in England in June 2022 after giving birth prematurely that May, according to the BBC.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
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In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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The result was a sudden and deep selloff among regional banks, drawing comparisons to the churn of the 2023 banking crisis that consumed Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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