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
CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
The New Yorker Consume Me This semi-autobiographical game by director Jenny Jiao Hsia explores her experiences with dieting and disordered eating as an Asian American teenager in the early 2010s, using gameplay mechanics to reflect the emotional and cultural pressures surrounding these issues.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Eli Lilly's Indian market share in the GLP‑1 category of weight‑loss drugs fell to 56% in March from 61% a month earlier, according to data from industry intelligence provider Pharmarack.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Holmgren scored 24 points in the first half and propelled the Thunder to an early 25-point lead.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
The New Yorker Consume Me This semi-autobiographical game by director Jenny Jiao Hsia explores her experiences with dieting and disordered eating as an Asian American teenager in the early 2010s, using gameplay mechanics to reflect the emotional and cultural pressures surrounding these issues.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Ranked-choice running (L-R) Democratic candidates for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Geoff Duncan, Derrick Jackson and Michael Thurmond participate in an education forum at Morehouse College earlier this month.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Eli Lilly's Indian market share in the GLP‑1 category of weight‑loss drugs fell to 56% in March from 61% a month earlier, according to data from industry intelligence provider Pharmarack.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
This ancient Chinese practice, now widely used throughout the world, involves insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the skin to treat disease and alleviate pain.—
Dr. Patricia Richard,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, this phenomenon is used to great effect by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to see ancient and distant galaxies.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The list is eclectic and unexpected, composed of some of the museum’s greatest hits as well as quieter pieces susceptible to being overlooked.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
For every snapshot of Americans at leisure — riding snowmobiles, hanging in barbershops, attending local football matches — there are multiple scenes of conflict and ire, sometimes in unexpected formations.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Information on charges and the suspects' identities was not immediately released.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Representatives from the House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2018, Google employees staged a massive walkout to protest the company’s work on a primitive iteration of the project.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The education center and two semi-primitive campgrounds feature vault toilets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The report also explains how this process can cause direct damage and premature aging of transformers, lowering the grid capacity in the months (or even years) after the space weather event.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These services support daily living, help families remain together, and reduce avoidable hospitalizations and premature nursing home placement.—
Jake Krilovich,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
This bipartisan legislation protects people with kidney disease from private insurance pushing dialysis patients off their plan prematurely.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of replacing them prematurely, use a lint roller to clean them in place.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maryland lawmakers voted to designate the massive, prehistoric megalodon as the state's official shark.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After your cave tour, try your hand at gem mining or pursue the impressive exhibit of relics, fossils, and skeletal artifacts, including the remains of a prehistoric bear that dates back 32,300 years.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Church officials say the sudden loss of funding could force the organization to end its operations tied to migrant children within three months.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Brace positions are a safety protocol that flight attendants follow in case of accidents and sudden emergencies.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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