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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of early
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
But peers who saw Wolf’s early cut could sense a certain edginess left in the margins.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Amount of historic tax credits received: $1.28 million Timeline: Construction could wrap as early as March 2026.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The experience hasn’t shied Scott Thomas away from another turn in the director’s chair, although, for now, because her next project is in early stages of development and desires to keep it under wraps.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
But peers who saw Wolf’s early cut could sense a certain edginess left in the margins.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
Adverb
But a judge rejected their argument earlier this year, ruling the case against them could proceed.
—Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Amount of historic tax credits received: $1.28 million Timeline: Construction could wrap as early as March 2026.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
With ancient mountain ranges and historic trails, Travelers Rest truly gets more beautiful with age.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
-
India’s culture — ancient, old, and new — isn’t neat.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Unless an unexpected punter upgrade becomes available at final cuts, Robbins looks safe.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The ripple effect of Social Studies wasn’t entirely unexpected.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Nunez’s attorneys didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Farthing's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
-
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
On average, study participants who fast walked for at least 15 minutes every day saw a nearly 20% reduction in premature death compared with a 4% reduction among participants who walked slowly for a total of more than three hours a day.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
-
This is a pressing issue for China’s population centers, as household air pollution from coal contributes to 420,000 premature deaths annually.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The languages spoken by nearly half of the world’s population—including some four hundred million native speakers of English—are thought to have descended from this prehistoric language.—
Martha Barnette
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Ten Little Dinos This four-minute video takes kids deep into the prehistoric jungle where ten colorful eggs are cozy in their nest.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Be aware of sudden re-direction of fires in response to passing outflow boundaries.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Aug. 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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Last Tuesday, reliever Brock Stewart, their lone bullpen acquisition at the trade deadline, recorded a hold with one scoreless inning against the Blue Jays and promptly went on the IL with shoulder inflammation.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
-
On the second play, Stidham rolled out and found Engram on a drag — and the free-agent tight end promptly went galloping down the right sideline for 58 yards.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share