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
Thanks to a regulatory change that took effect just three days before President Trump's inauguration, more workers could soon be joining Serrano in seeking to turn temporary employment into something permanent. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 12 May 2025 Try to be at the park about 30 minutes before the official opening time. Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 12 May 2025 The 12 jurors spent a little more than five hours deliberating over two days before delivering their unanimous verdict. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025 Trust that your journey is guiding you toward greater fulfillment, and embrace the changes that are unfolding right before your eyes. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • Also expected to join his former team is forward Sam Alexis of Apopka, who transferred to Indiana.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2025
  • To say anything about The Adventures of Pluto Nash in addition to what has already been said about The Adventures of Pluto Nash would be showing too much respect to The Adventures of Pluto Nash and, therefore, disrespectful to cinema. 17.
    Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 19 May 2025
Preposition
  • The charges were brought against Barnett on May 9, and a warrant for his arrest was issued by a judge three days later.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Public integrity cases, such as the indictment that was dropped against New York Mayor Eric Adams or conviction of former Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., are among the highest-profile cases the department prosecutes.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Adverb
  • Complete sets of the toys are already being hawked on eBay, starting at about $50.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Rather than devising a new name for the service, executives decided that the best name for the new outlet would simply be the one the company already has.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 May 2025
Preposition
  • Pharmaceutical companies have agreed to pay Hawaii $700 million to settle its lawsuit over the efficacy and safety of the blood thinner Plavix, the state attorney general's office announced Friday.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 May 2025
  • Southern Baptist churches lost more than a quarter-million members nationwide in 2024, the 18th straight year of decline, but saw baptism and attendance numbers rise.
    Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
Adverb
  • Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop through Sunday night, and winds from the weather pattern will shift eastward early in the week.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • American Reproductive Centers said Saturday in a post on Facebook that a vehicle had exploded in the parking lot near its Palm Springs facility earlier in the day.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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