as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the earliest computers were massive machines that practically filled up a room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earliest
Adjective
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Jaiden Ilginis made quite an entrance last spring for Tinley Park, recording a hat trick in her first game as a freshman.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026 -
With Carlos Rodón, set to make his first rehab start Friday, and Gerrit Cole, scheduled for his second rehab start Thursday, working their way back from injuries, a logjam is coming to the Yankees’ rotation if everyone else stays healthy.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The council, in granting initial approval, said petitioners must provide a full development plan and agree to improvements at the site.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The original cost was $510,000 but that's gone up by an additional $75,000 due to import tariffs and taxes.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Due to building restrictions, the team stuck with the original footprint but were able to extend the height 15 feet, making way for more gracious guest rooms.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Just last month it was reported that Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers organiser, raped women and girls, and Noam Chomsky—one of the left’s foremost intellectuals whose most popular book is called Manufacturing Consent—is right there on the Epstein private jet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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The number of people with severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and deadly kind, is expected to increase to 800,000, the world’s foremost experts on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in February.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earliest. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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