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
While there’s still some work to do before opening day , The Star got an exclusive sneak peek at the project, which will employ 270 hourly employees in the community. Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025 The band is set to go on a tour immediately after the album’s release, starting in Portland, before stopping in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, and more cities through mid-December. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Like many fans, Esler, who had seen the film years before, was drawn to Lydia’s strength and humor as a young female. Emily Burns, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025 The family has been through this before. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • In addition to the studio mandate to crush the competition, Browning had an additional motivation to focus his film on sideshow.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • If the indigo color isn’t to your liking, there’s also red, gray, burgundy, black, and brown.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Preposition
  • The charges against Paul were subsequently dropped.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Rotunda famously competed against the likes of the late Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake in his heyday.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The movie’s narrative [spoilers ahead] revolves around the lovely circus aerialist Cleopatra, who romantically pursues little person Hans, a performer in the sideshow.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The film is set high in the mountains as fall comes to an end and a family prepares for the long winter ahead.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Combs has already spent 14 months behind bars after his arrest in September 2024.
    Adam Reiss, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Spanx Shape Original EveryWear Flare Jeans Without any extra discount codes on top, these flattering flare jeans are already 60 percent off.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Preposition
  • Book Now Como Parrot Cay is part of Comoclub, a loyalty program that allows travelers to accumulate credits to use toward future stays.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In 2014, British banker Rurik Jutting brutally murdered two Indonesian women and hid one of the bodies in a suitcase in his upscale apartment in J Residence in Wan Chai, a popular nightlife district in Hong Kong.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Liberty Hall hired Houlihan to raise the capital for a classic direct that closed earlier this year.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Getty Images Rarely would a head coach whose team conceded seven goals in a home game just over one week earlier be described as being in a good position.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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