Synonyms of early

early 1 of 2

adjective

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

• ancient
• primitive
• prehistoric
• primal
• primordial
• primeval
• embryonic
• old
• infant
• budding
• antiquated
• germinal
• antediluvian
• aged
• hoary
• antique
• obsolete
• outmoded
• out-of-date
• age-old
• passé
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• higher
• high
• complex
• advanced
• evolved
• developed
• full-scale
• full-blown
• full-fledged

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

• unexpected
• premature
• sudden
• untimely
• precocious
• inopportune
• unseasonable
• unforeseen
• unanticipated
• abrupt
• unlooked-for

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• slow
• belated
• delinquent
• tardy
• overdue
• anticipated
• expected
• latish
• postponed
• delayed
• behindhand
• detained

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē 

as in immediately

before the usual or expected time

that year spring arrived early

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immediately
• prematurely
• promptly
• unseasonably
• precociously
• instantly
• beforehand
• presently
• inopportunely
• seasonably
• punctually
• pronto
• betimes
• apropos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• belatedly
• tardily

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of early

Adjective

Pouch cell retains 78% capacity Researchers also built a small, single-layer pouch cell to demonstrate the chemistry beyond the coin cells typically used in early-stage battery research. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

The final boundaries for the Chiefs project are not yet clear, but an early map from last year showed the district covering large portions of Wyandotte and Johnson counties. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Instead, the text simply informed her that the grand jury had filed their report earlier that day and that one of her lawyers had been sent a copy. — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

At Métier, the British leather-goods maker that opened a New York City store earlier this year, the Passerby North-South ($2,950) won my loyalty. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026