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
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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
-
Visitors typically find ancient shark’s teeth and internal molds of ammonites and oyster shells.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Aug. 2025
-
In Howard Schwartz’s version of Rabbinic folktales, the images and storylines of Jewish folklore become colorful, polymorphic, and wondrous while never losing an aura of ancient scariness.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Pierson’s rise, powered in part by promoting her one-time net worth estimate from Forbes, almost led her into an unexpected deal… Forbes itself.—
Monica Hunter-Hart,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
When an unexpected request comes from a dissident singer in hiding, his solitude and routine is broken — and so is to an extent his passivity.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Rather than just revel in shock and joy, Harman immediately looked a few steps out.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Dexter is immediately on guard and cautious about the idea, while Harry is understandably against it.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
1 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
-
Spending a lot of time sitting has been associated with a higher risk of premature death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
-
This pollution is associated with premature deaths and hospitalizations from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA Today,
31 July 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
-
Many fans were concerned about the sudden presser announcement, thinking that Prime may have to step away from coaching.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
His recording career had lurched to a sudden halt for four years in 1979, due to a manager who refused to let him out of the stifling contract Reid had signed as a naive teenager.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Many people recover fully from Lyme disease, especially when the disease is caught early and treated promptly.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
For this purpose, medical personnel were asked for samples, which, if available, would be analyzed promptly.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.
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