EARLIER Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

earlier

adverb

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

Back in early June, before a game at Yankee Stadium, Tracy hinted at better times ahead.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
When smoke levels are high, experts recommend avoiding anything that burns — candles, fireplaces, even gas stoves — so plan ahead with some meal prep.

— Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of ahead

Adverb

Barroca was drawing on a sentiment expressed two decades earlier, when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup.

— Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Massive amounts of rocks and soil roared down a slope and buried more than 10 residential buildings early Friday in Pengshui County on the outskirts of Chongqing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026

Definition of early

Adverb

Although it had never been used on a major-league pitcher before, the less invasive option meant Skubal would be able to return to throwing quickly.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Meanwhile, in another corner of the AI economy, the world's largest technology companies have committed nearly $700 billion to build data centers in 2026 alone, on top of $380 billion the year before.

— Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of before

Adverb

The difference between those projects and the 27 data centers that already exist or are being built in Miami-Dade (including three newcomers that have drawn controversy) is the size.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
The company already demonstrated this with Starship V2, but not with Starship V3.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Definition of already

Adverb

In the underwater video, an adult female orca is seen holding onto a dead sharp-tail sunfish that the group had previously killed.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Morrison helped lead the racist white supremacy campaign of 1898 that terrorized Black citizens and led to policies of segregation, The Observer previously reported.

— Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Definition of previously

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earl

earlier

earliest

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“Earlier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earlier. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of earlier

adverb

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