early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of earlynext
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

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē How to pronounce early (audio)
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
Adjective
Those looking for a quieter time to visit, as well as colorful foliage and excellent wildlife viewing, should opt for the fall shoulder season in September or early-to-mid October. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The sporty coupe and convertible lasted through 2012, long outliving its early stablemates, the Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
One problem is that cutting-edge engines that burn hotter and use less fuel are coming up for maintenance far earlier than airlines expected. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Discovering Lofoten’s foodways Kitchen on the Edge of the World books up fast, so reserve your spot early. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
  1. ancient
  2. unexpected
  3. immediately
  4. primitive
  5. premature
  6. prematurely
  7. prehistoric
  8. sudden
Adjective
  • Adding fuel to the debate is the discovery of ancient artifacts — texts, frescoes, tombstone inscriptions — that seem, to some, to depict women as priests in the early Catholic Church.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The two genetic variants are also ancient, suggesting that the difference has persisted over evolutionary timescales.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The tropical getaway also included some unexpected entertainment.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adverb
  • Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • There was little in the way of heavy equipment immediately available.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • American consumers deserved bargains on digital watches, pocket calculators, and primitive computers.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Working with the era's primitive technology, Margaret thought through the various mishaps that could occur on a spaceflight and designed the software to handle every contingency.
    — Dean Robbins, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • Ramirez, who was born and raised in La Cañada Flintridge and worked at the resort in the 1990s, said the news release was premature.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • During pregnancy, invasive listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in newborns.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of premature
Adverb
  • The World Nuclear Association said restarting nuclear reactors should be celebrated, but preventing them from closing prematurely would be the best option.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In September, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had prematurely halted the rule, finding that the FCC must issue a decision on the Democratic candidates’ petition for review before the appeals court can get involved.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adjective
  • That absence presented a problem for scientists trying to understand how the animals spread around the prehistoric world.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That said, prior archaeological digs have revealed similar prehistoric wooden weapons dating as far back as 400,000 years.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • This is not a sudden shift in attitude to defend a controversial CBA.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to low blood oxygen levels and low blood pressure, a pulmonary embolism can affect the heart, causing a fast or irregular heart rate, right-sided heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls
early
earmark
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Cite this Entry

“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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