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
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Recent Examples of early
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Like many of us, the couple turned to a popular early 2000s television series set in a storybook Connecticut town during the pandemic.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Once Driver was on board earlier this year, the next step was to find his co-star that was essential to the story.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Looking ahead, Ralph Lauren has signaled that such work is an ongoing evolution, sharing plans to detail the next chapter of its Timeless by Design strategy in early 2026—built on the progress and strategic recalibrations outlined in this year’s report.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Like many of us, the couple turned to a popular early 2000s television series set in a storybook Connecticut town during the pandemic.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
More than 1,500 incidents were reported in the first half of the year, the second-highest reported since the record set a year earlier.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Once Driver was on board earlier this year, the next step was to find his co-star that was essential to the story.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The piece filled both a madrasa and a caravanserai, placing ancient craft next to modern technology.—
Dada Jovanovic,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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But those who study the stars say this is a fact long known by ancient astronomers, and the disconnect is essentially an intentional feature of the zodiac, not a bug.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The leader of a local hoteliers group involved in planning the Aftershock Festival said rain on the morning of the opening day was unexpected.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Comedian Bill Burr, after performing at the show’s opening night on Friday, defended the project on his podcast, suggesting that the cultural exchange could have unexpected benefits.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The 11th Street Kids of Harcourt, John Economos (Steve Agee), Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) and Adebayo had already set out to rescue Chris from Earth-2, and Harcourt’s instincts as an agent who minds her surroundings picked up on the white supremacist haven almost immediately.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
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Kate debuted with blonde hair and was immediately met with troll comments.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The open North Rim camping at Fire Point and Swamp Ridge, is primitive and requires a backcountry permit.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Chinese navy already makes port calls in Myanmar, but these are brief stays in facilities too primitive to provide naval advantage.—
Dan Swift,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Conditions included premature rupture of the membrane, cardiac disease and preeclampsia, according to the state report.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Awarding him alone seemed premature, and no experimental physicist in quantum theory had been nominated to share the honour.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Critics of that plan — who include advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — have warned that such steep cuts could prematurely end missions in which NASA has invested billions of dollars and threaten the nation’s ability to continue making world-leading breakthroughs.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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In 2009, the couple welcomed twins Bob and Max, who were born six weeks prematurely, and required a prolonged hospital stay.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Its image is painted on ancient Southwestern pottery and chiseled into prehistoric petroglyphs that line Texas canyons.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
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From the Elgol dinosaur to the Krusatodon or the world’s largest pterosaur fossil from the Jurassic period, fossils found here have shaped our understanding of the prehistoric world.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To judge from the sudden and rapid infiltration of artificial intelligence into every corner of our daily lives, these wishes are coming true.—
Gary Greenberg,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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