1
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
early birds of the Jurassic period
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unexpected
occurring before the usual or expected time
we had an early dinner so as not to miss the concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in immediately
before the usual or expected time
that year spring arrived early
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of early
Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
As for who should play the protagonist of his now 9-episode Apple TV series, Gilligan again found inspiration through Saul’s earliest seasons.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The company showed off its new NBA studios at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut earlier this month, with enormous LED walls that Marv Albert could have only dreamed of.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
This must rank as one of the earliest examples of the travails of seeking to do business with China.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
As for who should play the protagonist of his now 9-episode Apple TV series, Gilligan again found inspiration through Saul’s earliest seasons.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Jeri was sworn in earlier this month following the ouster of former President Dina Boluarte.
—CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The company showed off its new NBA studios at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut earlier this month, with enormous LED walls that Marv Albert could have only dreamed of.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Then, in the thirteenth century, refinements to an ancient technology, the compass, led to its widespread adoption by sailors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
At the time that the cut was identified, researchers proposed that the mark proved that First Peoples butchered ancient megafauna.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Paying cash can sometimes save money on smaller, predictable expenses — like an X-ray, or a routine lab test — but health insurance is meant to protect against unexpected, high-cost emergencies.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Someone might see through your playful disguise, or a spontaneous conversation shifts your perspective in unexpected ways.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The magnitude of the attack and the extent of its damage was not immediately known.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether towing its matching trailer or not, the Elevance SUV is carefully designed for moving confidently from city streets to primitive stretches of off-road.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Oct. 2025
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The study also explains why some primitive meteorites formed millions of years later than the first solid bodies in the solar system.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Is this a deep-rooted response to the premature cancellation of your X-Files spinoff, The Lone Gunmen, as well as Breaking Bad being on the bubble for several seasons?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In an interview with WWD, chief financial officer Akhil Shrivastava said making changes to the outlook at this point would be premature.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Niven is dealing with significant neck problems that some are worried could end her professional wrestling career prematurely.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Jasmine Beverley held a funeral service for her son, Sunny Beverley-Conlin, in the city of Hull in England in June 2022 after giving birth prematurely that May, according to the BBC.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Most aneurysms are symptom-free, but sudden severe headaches or vision changes can signal a life-threatening rupture.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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