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
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When Ferrari first unveiled the Purosangue back in 2022, early marketing messaging attempted to portray the new model as anything but an SUV.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Her department said earlier this week that Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within the department, would be heading the investigation.
—Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
During those early virus days, younger musicians again looked to him, for their own COVID projects.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When Ferrari first unveiled the Purosangue back in 2022, early marketing messaging attempted to portray the new model as anything but an SUV.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Girl Scouts help sell cookies as early as age 5, stretching into their high school years.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Her department said earlier this week that Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within the department, would be heading the investigation.
—Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Lawyers working on their behalf filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, an ancient judicial principle forbidding the government from holding anyone in custody without providing a legally tenable reason for doing so.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Long one of the most beautiful ways to preserve produce, candying has existed in some form as far back as ancient China and Rome.—
Hannah Walhout,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While the actual commercial will have to wait for Super Bowl Sunday, the Bosch teaser is another example of brands leaning on star power and unexpected humor to stand out in the weeks ahead of the game.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
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To keep this oversized look from appearing stale, designers are being a bit more playful in their approach to silhouettes, balancing shorter crops with a wider hem or bringing an unexpected fabric into the mix.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
An email to Robert Bird, an attorney for plaintiffs Pinellas County Young Republicans and University of South Florida College Republicans, was not immediately returned.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
David Plotz, the CEO of City Cast, told Semafor in a phone call that the local podcast network was expanding its coverage of Washington as a direct result of the Post’s pullback, and would be immediately hiring four multi-platform journalists.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mobile computing started with devices that now seem laughably primitive.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
That means camping at the stunning Roaring Brook Campground is primitive (and only an option in the summer), so make sure to pack plenty of water, food, and headlamps.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The most basic finding is that exercise reduced the risk of premature death.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
30 Jan. 2026
-
For premature babies, that's especially true, and now a compilation of studies published in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal confirms it.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
So unless that changes, a mandatory judicial retirement age would have the impact of prematurely forcing out highly qualified members of the bench prematurely.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
And, unlike high-yield savings accounts, those rates are fixed and will remain the same until the account matures or until the saver elects to open the account prematurely.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With previous showstoppers such as The Blooming of the Mosasaurs—a bold blue ensemble inspired by a prehistoric marine reptile whose fossils have been discovered in Angola, Africa, as well as in Louisiana—Zulu plans every suit to be his best one yet.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The prehistoric park will be replaced by a new land themed to the Tropical Americas, which will include rides and attractions inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones, among others.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a June 2014 essay for Today in honor of Father's Day, Savannah reflected on her late dad, who died of a sudden heart attack in 1988.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Autonomous vehicles must be able to detect unpredictable behavior, anticipate sudden movement and respond instantly when children are present.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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