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
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Recent Examples of early
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Heat ripped off a 15-0 run after Hauser’s early buckets and built an early 28-9 lead, triggering two Mazzulla timeouts and a series of Celtics substitutions.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Monk provided a spark off the bench for Sacramento, scoring twice as part of a 6-0 run that put the Kings up 35-34 early in the second quarter.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit expedited the case to get an early hearing in January, which Frampton believes will be critical to potentially addressing the issue before the 2026 softball season starts.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Heat ripped off a 15-0 run after Hauser’s early buckets and built an early 28-9 lead, triggering two Mazzulla timeouts and a series of Celtics substitutions.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Jump on the trend early with this cute, hands-free Michael Kors crossbody bag.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Monk provided a spark off the bench for Sacramento, scoring twice as part of a 6-0 run that put the Kings up 35-34 early in the second quarter.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Colors take center stage, embedding references to the paintings and glasswork in European churches, the hues of the natural landscape in China’s Dunhuang county, as well as to the iconography and embroideries from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties in ancient China.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The documentary follows the chief through the months leading up to his inauguration, an event that draws more than 300 people from around the world representing Scotland’s ancient clans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The whimsical cover introduces readers to Saffy and Lumo, two best friends whose devotion to their favorite foods leads to an unexpected, and very literal, transformation.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
While the ordeal was incredibly frustrating for Johnson, updates on his unusual guest have been an unexpected distraction and obsession for a community that has lost so much.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The federal government’s narrative could not immediately be verified.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Rural Metro Fire shut the power off immediately, and after five hours and a complex rescue, first responders and a hazmat team removed Partida from the machine.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Buffington had been working as an after-school instructor for classes in woodworking, primitive skills and kite-making through the Princeton Recreation Department.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
These regular observations will gradually take in data and aim to provide pivotal information about the strengths, compositions, and histories of these primitive cosmic bodies.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When emergencies result in a premature birth or a baby with medical complications, immediate access to advanced neonatal care is critical.—
MemorialCare Medical Group,
Oc Register,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Gilbert blamed Congress for the funding reductions and described the layoffs as premature.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
One deputy, Ramos, prematurely took Cardenas from his intake booth, despite clinicians having activated a red warning light on the booth that barred Cardenas’ removal before his mental health plan was completed, the lawsuit alleged.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Four astronauts are now en route home from the International Space Station, marking the first time NASA has brought a crew home prematurely amid a health concern.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This discovery shifts the blame for the woolly rhino’s demise away from prehistoric hunters.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This name comes from the giant lake sturgeon, a prehistoric-looking fish, once found abundantly in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.—
Seth Jacobson,
The Providence Journal,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Other affected customers, like KHOU meteorologist Pat Calvin, noted how the sudden technological disconnect felt like the return of a bygone era.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
No one is going to care about short-term interest rates if the dollar starts tanking or there is a sudden and widespread loss of confidence in the Fed’s ability to maintain inflation low and labor markets stable over the long-term.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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