afore 1 of 2

Definition of aforenext
chiefly dialect

afore

2 of 2

preposition

chiefly dialect
1
as in before
earlier than my father, his father, and even his father afore him farmed this land

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space a majestic sailing ship going full speed afore the wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afore
Preposition
  • He was originally signed as a depth linebacker but was forced into the starting lineup following the abrupt departure of Josey Jewell before training camp.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Originally born in Colorado and raised in Colorado Springs, Good had just dropped her 6-year-old son off at school before being killed, according to the Associated Press.
    Austen Erblat, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Want to get ahead at work with AI?
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
  • While floral block prints are poised to become a darling of the wallpaper world in the year ahead, Rees says large-scale florals might create a distracting or chaotic feel that’s definitely not on the menu in 2026.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • By the time police arrived, the four suspects — black females between the ages of 18 and 23 — had already gone, but they were each caught on store surveillance cameras.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Jessica Ranucci, a lawyer in the New York Attorney General’s office, said in the Friday hearing, which was conducted by telephone, that at least four of the states had already had money delayed after requesting it.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Afore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afore. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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