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
Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Whereas Gamow had a scheme that the elements of the periodic table were forged in an early, hot, nucleosynthetic state shortly after the onset of the hot Big Bang, Hoyle claimed, correctly mind you, that the nuclear physics simply wouldn’t work out.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The first question was about the radio show host and blogger Kiki Monique, who confirmed that Katie had shared the rumor with her during a lunch with Gretchen and Gina Kirschenheiter earlier in the episode.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Afterwards, a group of early humans buried her in an ancient, sacred place along a lakeshore.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Whereas Gamow had a scheme that the elements of the periodic table were forged in an early, hot, nucleosynthetic state shortly after the onset of the hot Big Bang, Hoyle claimed, correctly mind you, that the nuclear physics simply wouldn’t work out.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Social media photos show Robinson wearing grey Converse shoes and sunglasses that appear similar to those worn by the shooting suspect in photos released by law enforcement earlier this week.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The first question was about the radio show host and blogger Kiki Monique, who confirmed that Katie had shared the rumor with her during a lunch with Gretchen and Gina Kirschenheiter earlier in the episode.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The norm is for ancient dugouts found in southern Florida to be linked to ancestors of the Calusa, the Seminole or the Miccosukee, according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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Scientists can analyze these ancient samples to infer ocean temperature, sea ice cover or levels of atmospheric gases at different moments across thousands of years.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps the most unexpected insights from our conversation were about leadership.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Whether this unexpected lull means a season that falls (hopefully) short of those predictions remains uncertain.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
This employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and an investigation has begun.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Yet these productions are increasingly designed around an ethos of visual-over-depth that compels us to immediately document and post each scene.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Due to an accidental feature of this primitive technology, the color of television made in the middle nineteen sixties is essentially public, rather than private.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Campsites are a step above primitive, with nearby water, pit toilets, picnic tables and food lock-up boxes provided.—
Don Sproul,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The individual enemies in Silksong aren't very forgiving, either—just a few false moves can allow even random scrubs to get in enough damage to lead to a premature death.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
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Their sons, Bob and Max, were born in March 2009, seven weeks premature.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
If your neuromuscular system is not accustomed to these demands, fatigue can prematurely set in and create the conditions for cramping.—
Michael Hales,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
-
An overthrown ball to star receiver Tyreek Hill that landed in the arms of safety Cam Bynum prematurely ended Miami’s first drive of the season.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Research conducted at Zvejnieki has often challenged longheld assumptions about gender roles in prehistoric Europe.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Towering over its modern relatives, this prehistoric predator was not only the largest species of lion ever recorded, but also one of the top apex predators of the Ice Age.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And then all of a sudden, the pick.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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