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
That startup sold to Square (now Block) in 2020 in a deal worth north of $100 million, where the pair expanded their AI expertise before launching Pickford AI in 2024. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025 Opendoor also named Rabois as chairman and said Eric Wu, who served as the company's first CEO before stepping down in 2023, would return to the board. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
The day before, the Cubs had also lost their closer and the Philadelphia Phillies had lost the entire left side of their infield. Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 In August, as in months before, there are clear indications that prices — particularly for items that are not widely produced domestically — are on the rise. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • King, a 56-year-old cattle and poultry farmer, is currently serving his second stint in the Senate, after first being elected to the chamber in 2013.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The size and fervor of his audiences spoke to his place in the conservative firmament.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Some Wordlers also play Competitive Wordle against friends, family, the Wordle Bot or even against me, your humble narrator.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Bowlan had faced a batter over the minimum against the Carolina Mudcats.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Just as a developer is trying to move ahead with plans to raze the historic Excelsior Club in west Charlotte, then rebuild a near replica, a local museum CEO is trying to make the case for saving the structure.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • An Emerson College Polling survey conducted last week found Wu ahead by 50 points, 72 percent to 22 percent.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Carbon credit monetization – Forward-looking companies are already earning credits by capturing and storing emissions, feeding into voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it is already embedded in healthcare systems.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • The Utah Department of Public Safety released several additional photos in the evening.
    Connor Greene, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The paper also highlights the potential of digital twins — virtual patient replicas that allow doctors to simulate treatments before applying them in real life.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • This, however, was quite a different context from when Bianca Censori stepped out in a see-through dress at the Grammys earlier this year with her husband Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Lopes has good technical striking skills, at least early in his fights, and excellent grappling.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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