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 Vote-by-mail ballots are considered late if they are not postmarked on or ahead of election day or do not arrive within seven days of election day. Vanessa Martínez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026 That’s when the Royals pulled ahead and evened the series ahead of Sunday’s finale. Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026 This launch came hours ahead of the Starship and Super Heavy launch attempt in Texas. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 Negotiations are set to continue for SAG-AFTRA later in the spring ahead of the contract’s June 30 expiration. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 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, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Mascherano talked of formations and technique before ultimately saying his team might’ve been too caught up in the event in the first half.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
Preposition
  • Plasencia, who briefly treated Perry prior to the actor's death, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of distribution of ketamine and was sentenced to 30 months in prison in December 2025.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her brother had been designated power-of-attorney for the parents in early 2023, an arrangement made as part of a trust prior to the Carlsons' failing health.
    Carol Thompson, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Preposition
  • The moody Moon in your artistic 5th house and heavyweight Jupiter in your friendly 11th house are in opposition, pitting personal flair against community needs.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Iran is set to begin its campaign against New Zealand on June 15 near Los Angeles, a region that's home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, including many who fled the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Preposition
  • All money paid from a club to a player must hit the cap at some point.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Carolina does have some remaining needs, and with the selection process just around the corner, The Charlotte Observer decided to go back to the drawing board.
    Mike Kaye April 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 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 10 Apr. 2026.

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