EARLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of early

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

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

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of early

Adjective

However, the order preserves existing sanctions on Russia under earlier executive orders. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026 This piece is an edited version of an earlier publication on Substack. — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Pittsburgh had five penalties for 63 yards on one BC drive early in the second quarter. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Toulon already has a satellite campus of the École Camondo interior architecture and design school, and the Design Parade could move to its Porte d’Italie district as early as next year. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early

Recent Examples of Synonyms for early

Adjective

Adding fuel to the debate is the discovery of ancient artifacts — texts, frescoes, tombstone inscriptions — that seem, to some, to depict women as priests in the early Catholic Church.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The two genetic variants are also ancient, suggesting that the difference has persisted over evolutionary timescales.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Be especially cautious about unexpected texts or calls that arrive afterward.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of unexpected

Adjective

These primitive instincts are highly attuned to potential danger and are often triggered before our conscious mind registers that something isn’t right.

— Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026
When our skin senses heat, those signals travel to a primitive part of the brain that tells our body to cool down.

— Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of primitive

Adjective

When filing may be premature Document the loss and the policy issue first, then pull together the communications that show where the insurer stood.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The commission also declined costs for storage pipeline replacement projects after finding premature plans and uncertain timelines, and for the customer service order tracker after the MPSC did not find the company producing cost-savings data.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of premature

Adverb

The World Nuclear Association said restarting nuclear reactors should be celebrated, but preventing them from closing prematurely would be the best option.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
In September, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had prematurely halted the rule, finding that the FCC must issue a decision on the Democratic candidates’ petition for review before the appeals court can get involved.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of prematurely

Adjective

That absence presented a problem for scientists trying to understand how the animals spread around the prehistoric world.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
That said, prior archaeological digs have revealed similar prehistoric wooden weapons dating as far back as 400,000 years.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prehistoric

Adjective

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a conversation, bit of news, or sudden change of perspective impossible to ignore.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls

early

earmark

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Style

“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of early

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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