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
-
Home Depot stores will open at their regular times on July 4, according to a company spokesperson, and will close early at 8 p.m. local time.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
5 July 2025 -
Douglas met the press after earlier in the day receiving a surprise award statuette from the festival.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
Adverb
-
LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
1 July 2025
-
With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
30 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Earlier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earlier. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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