EARLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of early

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

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

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

After a pair of incompletions, quarterback Major Smith found Jett Hilliard down the left sideline for a 50-yard scored to give Boyd an early 6-0 lead. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026 The reality star was diagnosed with an early stage brain tumor in July and underwent surgery in August. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Adverb

The weather service said confidence is beginning to increase for the potential for extra-large surf along south and western exposures early next week. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 The team behind Heritage announced the opening earlier this week. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early

Recent Examples of Synonyms for early

Adjective

Although there are plenty of books in three languages (Arabic, French, and English), there are also museums, a planetarium, and a lab dedicated to restoring and preserving ancient manuscripts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
Unlike the other four, it was not protected as an ancient monument because it was believed to have been lost.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Piker reacted with surprise and amusement to his unexpected appearance during a livestream.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Despite the richness of color, everything feels beautifully cohesive, a design language that is fresh, considered, and full of unexpected details.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of unexpected

Adverb

Attorney Matthew Farley urged the judge to dismiss the case and immediately release his client.

— ERIC TUCKER, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
The city did not immediately respond to ABC News' request on potential toxins first responders were exposed to in the aftermath or allegations by agencies at the time that the air was safe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of immediately

Adjective

Between these spaces exists a world balanced on the edge of the modern and the primitive, the high-tech and the rural, the corporeal and the mythic.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of primitive

Adjective

Going to the Super Lig felt like a big, and probably premature, step down.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The commission, in court documents, maintains ABC’s lawsuit was premature because regulators simply were in the process of reviewing whether ABC has served the public interest in operating its eight television stations.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of premature

Adjective

The National Museum alone lost almost two-thirds of its inventory, comprising nearly 100,000 artifacts that covered Sudan’s prehistoric age through its Nubian era, the Kingdom of Kush, the Christian era and its Islamic period.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Seeing those ancient sculptures would have a lasting impact on Cabrera, whose work contained forms that recall pagan ritual and prehistoric objects.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of prehistoric

Adjective

The scene cuts to Sally and Gillian, who both come to a sudden awareness of Franny’s ultimate act of selflessness.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
The administration’s justification for these orders is a statute that allows the Department of Energy (DOE) to declare an emergency in the case of wartime or a sudden shortfall in generation.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls

early

earmark

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of early

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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