1
2
as in against
preceding in space
the children always insisted on running before their parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of before
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Months before the debut of professional soccer in Boise, the buzz among fans built quickly.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
Courtesy Royal Bahama Defense Force Both Brian Hooker and Lynette Hooker have had run-ins with the law before.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for before
Preposition
Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Months before the debut of professional soccer in Boise, the buzz among fans built quickly.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Simone Sanborn, 27, had never seen a Broadway show before.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
Courtesy Royal Bahama Defense Force Both Brian Hooker and Lynette Hooker have had run-ins with the law before.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
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
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
Adverb
-
In other words, the tech is sprinting ahead, but the infrastructure is jogging behind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices are still hovering just below $100 per barrel as a shaky ceasefire in Iran goes into effect, but there’s a long road ahead even if the war concludes.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
And this year, thousands of people have already bought tickets to be a part of it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, was already in Islamabad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Preposition
-
Many of the stories in the book are tragic Icarus narratives, featuring acts of rebellion that succeed in one brief ecstatic burst, and then resoundingly fail.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Citywide, over 75% of voters chose to renew the tax, while about 25% voted against renewing it, according to unofficial results from local election boards.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Making his debut with the Blue Jays after signing as a free agent earlier this month, Patrick Corbin allowed four runs and six hits, including two home runs, in four innings.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
As early as 1888, Kansas City was reported to have a hundred mandolin clubs, and, by the turn of the century, all the major East Coast cities had mandolin orchestras.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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