Synonyms of beforehand

beforehand

adverb

bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

1

as in early

before the usual or expected time

if you arrive beforehand, we won't be entirely prepared yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• early
• immediately
• prematurely
• promptly
• instantly
• inopportunely
• unseasonably
• precociously
• presently
• punctually
• seasonably
• pronto
• apropos
• betimes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• belatedly
• tardily

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of beforehand

The building collapse has raised questions about construction activity next door, where city records show prior violations and a stop-work order that was issued months beforehand. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Police said they were not notified about the operation beforehand. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026

Scout both sites beforehand, study where the sun will stand above the ruins, and decide which offers the strongest alignment — and the easiest access — on eclipse morning. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Although Leibniz had published his theory before his English colleague, a supporter of Newton—and later Newton himself—claimed that Leibniz had seen his unpublished work on infinitesimal calculus beforehand and had stolen his ideas. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2026

One meta-analysis found that exercising after a meal was more effective at lowering blood sugar than exercising beforehand, with greater benefits when participants started moving sooner. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 7 Nov. 2026

Instead, check when your current policy expires and set aside time to review your options several weeks beforehand. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Bitdefender found that the only way to avoid the GhostMap exploit without losing data was to have USB debugging enabled on the device beforehand. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

What strikes me about this account is that the widow didn’t have to know beforehand how her need would be met. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2026