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
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Mallet-Guy has worked with Farhadi on all of his films starting with and since The Past, having originally connected with the director as the French distributor of his earlier titles including About Elly and A Separation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
But that would echo another decision — The Decision — from earlier in his career.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The 84-year-old is suspected to have been abducted from her bedroom in the early morning hours.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Mallet-Guy has worked with Farhadi on all of his films starting with and since The Past, having originally connected with the director as the French distributor of his earlier titles including About Elly and A Separation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Adverb
Sony Pictures announced earlier this year that Storrie would be guest starring in the sci-fi series’ fifth season, and the viral actor’s episode finally premiered on May 15.
—Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
But that would echo another decision — The Decision — from earlier in his career.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Clouds is the first luxury retreat for visitors to this national park—a more ancient and biodiverse ecosystem than the Virunga Mountains, inhabited by Rwanda and Congo’s gorilla population.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Images of the shelter slipped the Russian choke hold to appear on the world’s screens—intact and unbowed amid the rubble, like a temple time-transported from some more ancient siege, the faces of those within drained but resolute.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tell students not to click unexpected links, share codes or respond to scary messages without checking first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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In this context, digital health platforms have emerged as unexpected allies in breaking down long-standing research barriers.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Adverb
-
An attorney for Sohail did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Analysts note Iran was able to penetrate US air defenses in the Persian Gulf with relatively primitive technology, including low-cost Shahed drones and lower-cost ballistic missiles.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
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Hannes’s roommate, Gundula (Marlene Burow), uses a primitive nineteen-seventies version of Tony’s 2020 technology to study and decode the behavior of her potted geranium.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
During my first pregnancy four years earlier, I had been hospitalized for a couple of months due to premature labor.—
Eloisa James,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adverb
-
Eric Clapton prematurely ended a recent show in Madrid, Spain after he was struck by an object thrown by someone in the crowd.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
The county prematurely ended a contract with a jail staffing agency without publicly giving the reason.—
Rachel Royster
May 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
An unusual tooth found in a cave offers a rare glimpse into a surprising procedure prehistoric humans might have performed to fix a cavity 59,000 years ago.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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In September 2023, UNESCO added Tell es-Sultan—a prehistoric site in Jericho—to its World Heritage List, drawing criticism from some far-right Israeli politicians and organizations.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Sun were consistently among the WNBA’s top-performing franchises on and off the court before the league’s sudden exponential growth.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
-
Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, said as a result of these sudden deployments, some spouses have had to cut back on their work hours or quit their jobs to hold down the home front.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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