before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

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 before
Preposition
The start of the 2025 season was a grueling one for the Aces, who began the year 14-14 before winning their last 16 regular season games. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 The series takes place four years before President Bill Clinton’s controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy went into effect. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The Brewers lost the game and the series, but for a city with baseball fever, celebrations were still aplenty before and after. Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 The former President has made similar comments before. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • The flip side to Marner’s exit is that the Leafs have cap flexibility and intend to take a swing with it.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • That later became the foundational precedent for centuries of papal claims to secular authority over the papal states of the Romagna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Preposition
  • Richardson sustained the injury and was hospitalized after a stretching band snapped, sending an attached pole forcibly against his face.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • It’s long been stated that his departure was the result of a disagreement with van Doesburg over the use of diagonal lines in De Stijl artworks, which van Doesburg supported and Mondrian was against.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • At only 24 years old, there appears to be a lot more highlights ahead for the star wide receiver.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • As OpenAI races ahead, Hollywood is scrambling to get in front of the situation.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The council had already rejected Allied once before, months earlier, over settlements — including back wages — that the company has had to pay out to current and former employees.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Two months into the season, Barcelona already find themselves at a crucial juncture.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Preposition
  • Maddy Rivard, public relations specialist for Life Time, said Thursday the Big Sugar Classic is one of more than 30 running and cycling events Life Time owns and operates across the country.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Trade patterns and alliances may shift but great companies understand the importance of rotating across geographies to develop talent for leadership roles.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • As early as the 1620s, the Dutch and English settlers who established farming and fishing communities came into conflict with the remnants of Algonquian-speaking peoples.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • When people skip screening, doctors are less likely to catch breast cancer at earlier, more treatable stages.
    Julia Landwehr, Health, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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