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
-
But the fairy godmother’s spell wore off early in Game 6, which was just 62 seconds old when Vegas went ahead to stay.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026 -
So what stands out most about the Chiefs’ road ahead?—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adverb
-
Friday’s strike follows similar operations earlier this week.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
First pitch was shifted earlier with the hope of avoiding storms in Maryland.—
Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
Prices have dropped, and buyers have more room to negotiate than before.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
-
The combination of anthropogenic activities is creating space for contact between viruses and species that have never before interacted.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
Several candidates said the case has intensified conversations around ethics and accountability, while also highlighting broader frustrations residents already had with City Hall responsiveness and city services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Cask investing involves buying an oak barrel filled with Scotch — either shortly after the spirit's distillation or having already aged — and allowing its contents to mature over a period of 10 to 20 years, before selling it on.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
The Fan Favorite is awarded $100,000 by Sia, who has previously personally awarded the players she's loved the most.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Hundreds of miles downriver from the Big Bend, in the Rio Grande Valley, wall construction has been proceeding at a rapid pace, threatening areas—a historic chapel, a wildlife refuge, a state park, the National Butterfly Center—that had previously been protected by Congress.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Earlier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earlier. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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