earliest

adjective

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
  1. first
  2. initial
  3. original
  4. foremost
Adjective
  • The Ordinary also staked out its first flagship, of 170 square feet, in Paris’ Marais district after a successful pop-up drew lines outside the door.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Shakira Live From Madrid will be the pop star’s first full concert to air live; she’s been touring for over a year and made a few changes to the setlist to add some World Cup and Zootopia flair.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of first
Adjective
  • The chain’s restaurants were leased back to it under a 25-year master lease, which included 2% annual escalators, extending until the early 2040s, according to the initial deal terms.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In keeping with the brand’s spirit of generosity, the initial stock of Bali gin and Scotch whisky, beer, soft beverages such as jamu, and locally made artisanal snacks such as Krakakoa Chocolate is gratis.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Thus the Marlowe played by Mitchum in the 1978 remake of The Big Sleep seems like an entirely different person from the original played by Bogart in 1946, despite their almost indistinguishable stories.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the escalating price of seafood challenged Darden’s original dream—and parent companies’ finances.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • Founded in 1937, the Fashion Scholarship Fund is the fashion industry’s foremost education and workforce development nonprofit.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Making the roster more functional will be the foremost objective for whomever Crane chooses to replace Brown.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of foremost
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

earlier
earliest
earliness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earliest. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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