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
Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 May 2025
With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the site noted, Tagle and Parolin emerged as the early favorites, with Parolin moving into the lead and maintaining it ever since.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Ben Burrows, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The collection of 27 satellites that launched earlier this week added up to be the heaviest payload ever flown on ULA's Atlas V rocket.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Shares of Lionsgate Studios slipped more than 7% in early trading.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 May 2025
With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the site noted, Tagle and Parolin emerged as the early favorites, with Parolin moving into the lead and maintaining it ever since.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Adverb
The Athletic reported earlier this week that tickets for the game are set to cost between £50 and £285, representing a notable increase on last year’s edition.
—Ben Burrows, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The collection of 27 satellites that launched earlier this week added up to be the heaviest payload ever flown on ULA's Atlas V rocket.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The photo highlights the relative youth of human civilization by showing a 2,500-year-old temple that is ancient by the yardstick of human lives, alongside the 4.5 billion-year-old disk of Earth's moon, which has watched over humanity since our ancestors emerged from the oceans.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 May 2025
-
Drive around the island and catch glimpses of past civilizations: ancient fig trees propped up by wooden crutches; centuries-old windmills that look like giant antique flyswatters; stone walls built by the Moors during the Middle Ages that somehow still look new.—
Julia Chaplin,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
What’s perhaps unexpected, and has also contributed to Knies’ rise as a bona fide playoff performer?—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
Say yes to group chats, catch-ups, or even unexpected collaboration.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
2 May 2025
Adverb
-
The clerk's office for Cook County, Illinois, where the pontiff lived previously, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
The Pakistani claim has not been corroborated and could not be immediately verified by Newsweek.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
-
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
But the president’s declaration of victory may be premature.—
The Editors,
National Review,
8 May 2025
-
In May 2008, the former couple welcomed a son named Xavier, who died days after his premature birth.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Archaeologists excavating the site of a future golf course were surprised to find evidence of a prehistoric village — including a rare chariot wheel dating back millennia.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
The famous cave suites built against the sandstone rock formations will take you back to a prehistoric time without missing any modern-day luxuries.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The band’s message may have got slightly lost, however, amid their acid-trip screen visuals, military drag, and the climactic near-naked reveals, not to mention the sudden appearance of a rocket-straddling Vladimir Lenin impersonator who looked more like the Smurfs’ arch-nemesis Gargamel.—
Nick Allen,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
-
In practical terms, a sudden revocation of a nonprofit’s status would instantly derail PSLF credit for its employees through no fault of their own.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adverb
-
Don’t forget to take advantage of the signature St. Regis butler service, which will promptly fulfill requests for packing needs, garment pressing, restaurant reservations and a cup of steaming chamomile tea to unwind after a long flight.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Just then, they were joined by Colin Jost as Hegseth — and Pirro promptly spit red wine in his face in surprise.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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