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
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
The researchers found that early mammals had relatively large, simple teeth with little variation in shape.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Communicate early, and friendships strengthen naturally.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Super Typhoon Bavi has winds of 145 mph, which is the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, as of Friday morning ET, which is very early Saturday morning in Guam.
—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
The researchers found that early mammals had relatively large, simple teeth with little variation in shape.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Adverb
Minasian clashed with respected manager Joe Maddon early in his tenure, eventually leading to Maddon’s firing amid an epic losing streak in the 2022 season.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Communicate early, and friendships strengthen naturally.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
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Learn about Sarasota’s ancient past at Phillippi Estate Park or look for the resident deer at Rothenbach Park.
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The pallium, a woolen collar embroidered with six crosses, is an ancient symbol of authority and obligation.
Adjective
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Artisan Market Thoughtful, small-batch cookies made with intention and inspired by unexpected flavors.
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And while many know Mariska Hargitay from her decades-long run on Law & Order or as one of the Knicks' biggest hype women, she can also be considered among fashion's unexpected trendsetters.
Adverb
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Affidavits supporting the Johnsons’ arrests were not immediately available Friday evening.
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Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
Adjective
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These few extra channels—combined with some sounds ripped from an expansion for the MSX, another 8-bit console—were enough to transcend the Game Boy’s original limitations while still evoking the handheld system’s primitive beauty.
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Likewise, primitive asteroidal bodies are somewhat like fossilized remnants of the building blocks of the solar system's planets, including Earth.
Adjective
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Hopkins pounced when Larson welcomed questions, suggesting the press conference was premature, given that the congressman had no precise information about why Cecunjanin had been detained.
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And many aspects of her identity have come into fashion recently, decades after her premature death in 1954.
Adverb
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That said, withdrawing money prematurely from a CD will lead to the issuance of an early withdrawal penalty.
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Modular designs and repairable form factors extend useful life and reduce the volume of devices retired prematurely due to single-component failure.
Adjective
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The museum uses Akrotiri as a point of reference for the life and culture of prehistoric Thira.
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The fraught subject of the proper disposition of those human remains has taken on a new sensitivity — both for the prehistoric people’s Native American successors in Florida, and for the archaeologists and developers encountering them.
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
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Small Holes One sign of snakes in your garden could be the sudden appearance of small holes that could be about the size of a small coin, or up to two inches.
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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