as in ahead
so as to precede something in order of time
he had arrived earlier to take care of some preliminary matters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earlier
Adverb
-
Even when the comeback seemed for naught when Stephon Castle was fouled after the Knicks had taken the lead and made two free throws to put San Antonio back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026 -
End also advised younger workers to plan ahead for their retirement, while viewing Social Security as more of a social safety net.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
The Trojans will now prepare to face Lamar University, which blew a five-run lead in a 7-5 loss to host Texas A&M earlier Friday.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Authorities said earlier that Baker was responsible for or involved in the deaths of three men — Robert Shine and John Carse, both 69, and a 79-year-old man who has not been identified.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Greg Biffle is accused in the lawsuit of being negligent in cooperating with Dutton, despite knowing the problems Dutton was experiencing before and during the flight, the lawsuit said.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
His parents had seen it before.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
Trump has effectively imposed a fuel blockade on the island by threatening tariffs on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting seemingly endless power outages and delivering new blows to the island's already ailing economy.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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Industry groups warned that capping emissions too much and too quickly would push refineries out of the state and drive up already soaring energy costs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adverb
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Similarly compelling is ‘Home Going,’ in which Clemmons traces her father’s family’s migration to Los Angeles in the 1970s, motivated by the promise of economic opportunities that had previously seemed out of reach for Black people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, cyberespionage by groups such as Salt Typhoon, linked to China, has carried out operations targeting sensitive communications.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Earlier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earlier. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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