ahead of

Definition of ahead ofnext
1
as in before
earlier than always arrives at school ahead of the bus we were cautioned not to fill out any of the test answers ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in in advance of
preceding in space the three lost children emerged from the forest, with the family dog walking proudly ahead of them

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 ahead of With the charge dismissed, Spencer is clear to continue is run for sheriff ahead of the November election. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 June 2026 Isack Hadjar netted a strong fifth in the other Red Bull ahead of Russell’s Mercedes and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren. Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 In the months ahead of the election, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have warned Armenia that joining the EU could come at the expense of massive economic damage by disrupting Armenian trade ties with Moscow and its allies. ABC News, 6 June 2026 Insiders have started sharing first looks at the Obama Presidential Center ahead of its Juneteenth opening day. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ahead of
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ahead of
Preposition
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2026
  • This policy has remained largely consistent through recent seasons and applies across Grand Slams and tour events (with some exceptions like Wimbledon in 2022, which briefly went further and banned them entirely before reversing course).
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
Preposition
  • But ever since Hay filed his civil suit against Combs, the musician’s attorneys have fiercely denied his allegations.
    Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
  • In 1800, just as the first true vaccine—against smallpox—came into use, life expectancy at birth hovered around thirty years worldwide.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Preposition
  • The 2026 contestants' Instagram and TikTok profiles are frozen in time, showcasing their final adventures and accomplishments (like Kenzie Annis graduating from nursing school) before they were sequestered in May, prior to their debuts in the Fijian villa.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Prosecutors say Thomas allegedly assaulted the woman on a bus prior to the incident at the restaurant.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Preposition
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 8 June 2026
  • Not all of the theorizing stands fully upright to scrutiny or time, but that’s sort of beside the point.
    Leander Schaerlaeckens June 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ahead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ahead%20of. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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