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
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Political parties in early America subsidized newspapers and became the foundation of the press’s business model.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
The Grand Ceremony, including the red carpet and presentation of the major categories, will be held that evening at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, while the Premiere Ceremony, which covers additional categories, will take place earlier that day at TOKYO DREAM PARK.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
In a social media video, Madi said her father's health declined in the months following an early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Political parties in early America subsidized newspapers and became the foundation of the press’s business model.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
Remember his deadly soy allergy mentioned earlier in the season?
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
The Grand Ceremony, including the red carpet and presentation of the major categories, will be held that evening at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, while the Premiere Ceremony, which covers additional categories, will take place earlier that day at TOKYO DREAM PARK.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Its Mars-like terrain has doubled for alien and ancient worlds in major international films, and shooting permits are easily obtained with no location fees.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her bond with Simone Biles has been well documented, but Chiles lights up when talking about other unexpected connections that also keep her grounded.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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During cross-examination, he was upbraided for long answers that did not immediately answer the question he had been asked.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
More information about the accident wasn’t immediately available.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If successful, this productive force— supposed to be restorative, in at least some visions—would grow up in symbiosis with primitive fossil capital.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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These samples provide insights into primitive carbonaceous material, the water, and the organic content of early solar system bodies.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The generalizations about the use and effectiveness of testosterone are at best premature.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 Nov. 2025
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The laws have put doctors under increasing strain and surveillance, complicating the standard medical treatments for miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature membrane rupture, and other pregnancy problems.—
Natalie Krebs,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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The earbuds last up to eight hours of listening time with additional 24 hours with the charging case, making sure that your listening sessions won't end prematurely.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Larissa Gonzalez's son, Caleb, was born prematurely and kept in the hospital for weeks.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Large muskies, prehistoric-looking fish with canine-style teeth, lurk there.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In Scotland, archaeologists found evidence of a prehistoric village at a future golf course earlier this year.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Excluding disasters, sudden surges of this magnitude in requests for food or any other need are rare at 211s, and can signal both public worry and need, as happened in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Matthew W. Kreuter,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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