1
as in early
before the usual or expected time
if you arrive beforehand, we won't be entirely prepared yet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
if you get ready beforehand, you won't have to rush at the last minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 beforehand
The installation construction will start about six weeks before its reveal with one of the most iconic features, the piece revealing the name of the champions gate, being put in place shortly beforehand.
—
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Depending on your room’s location, navigating between the multiple elevators and narrow hallways could be difficult for those with mobility challenges, so be sure to inquire beforehand.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Thinking through your party setup with intention beforehand and eliminating anything that requires you to spend active time in the kitchen instead of on the couch means that after kickoff, the only things left to stress about will be yard lines and touchdowns.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Jan. 2026
The cause of the confrontation is unclear, and the video does not capture what, if anything, happened beforehand.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beforehand
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Depending on your room’s location, navigating between the multiple elevators and narrow hallways could be difficult for those with mobility challenges, so be sure to inquire beforehand.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Thinking through your party setup with intention beforehand and eliminating anything that requires you to spend active time in the kitchen instead of on the couch means that after kickoff, the only things left to stress about will be yard lines and touchdowns.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Jan. 2026
The cause of the confrontation is unclear, and the video does not capture what, if anything, happened beforehand.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beforehand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beforehand
Adverb
-
Lemon made his first public comments after federal authorities arrested him on Thursday for partaking in an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The House is expected to come back early next week to take up the Senate deal, which includes five spending bills but stripped out a bipartisan bill funding DHS until September and replaced it with a two-week bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Officers immediately tackled and arrested Kazmierczak, who was jailed on a preliminary third-degree assault charge, police spokesperson Trevor Folke said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of waiting for her director to share the data, Amber replied immediately to these emails.—
Chris Lipp,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
That could change in quarters ahead due to skyrocketing memory prices.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Well up for the fight in front of their boisterous fans at the Estadio da Luz, however, Benfica went ahead 3-1 before half time and secured a heroic 4-2 win, plus qualification to the knockout phase playoff on goal difference, thanks to goalkeeper Anatoli Trubin’s 98th minute header.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The mission, which aims to take its astronauts deeper into space than ever before, will hopefully pave the way for the return of humans to the surface of the moon for the first time since the breakthrough Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s.—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The city has been sued before over shelter dogs that severely injured people after their bite histories allegedly were not disclosed.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Many were either already public or heavily blacked out.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Bell has already ordered another season, as fans in China, Russia and around the world binge Season 1.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beforehand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beforehand. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
