Synonyms of before

before 1 of 2

preposition

1

as in to

earlier than

since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• to
• until
• till
• of
• prior to
• previous to
• ere
• in advance of
• 'fore
• ahead of
• afore
• fore
• up to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• after
• following
• since
• next
• next to

2

as in against

preceding in space

the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• against
• in front of
• ahead of
• 'fore
• afore
• in advance of
• fore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• after
• following

before

2 of 2

adverb

bi-ˈfȯr 

as in earlier

so as to precede something in order of time

their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earlier
• ahead
• already
• early
• previously
• beforehand
• now
• afore
• shortly
• preliminarily
• soon
• first
• anteriorly
• in advance
• formerly
• antecedently
• prematurely
• before long
• first off
• a priori
• presently
• erelong

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• later
• afterwards
• afterward
• after
• subsequently
• next
• behind
• by and by

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of before

Preposition

By 1966, five years before the founding of Federal Express, Emery had 60 domestic US offices and 30 internationally. —Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Book Now Populus Seattle doesn’t participate in any hotel or credit card loyalty programs, but before booking your stay, check out the hotel's website for its latest offers and discounts. —Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025

Back then, one day before the start of the Euros in England, then Ballon d’Or holder Alexia Putellas injured her anterior cruciate ligament and had to withdraw from the squad. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 29 June 2025

Does pasta sauce need to cool before refrigerating? —Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

Phrases Containing before

• before long