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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of early
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
Local Head Start sites that provide early childhood education, child care and other services are ramping up for the start of a new school year on Aug. 18 despite uncertainty over possible federal funding cuts.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 July 2025
Paying off debt early saves hundreds of millions of dollars in interest costs each year.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
City Comptroller Brad Lander was in third place in the early returns, pulling about 12% in the unofficial results, tallies showed.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
Local Head Start sites that provide early childhood education, child care and other services are ramping up for the start of a new school year on Aug. 18 despite uncertainty over possible federal funding cuts.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adverb
His latest record, Demos, was released earlier this year.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 July 2025
Paying off debt early saves hundreds of millions of dollars in interest costs each year.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The theory of natural selection persevered, and the lengthy record of our ancient roots began to fill out.—
Laura Poppick,
Rolling Stone,
30 June 2025
-
The Virtual Telescope Program has announced a livestream to mark World Asteroid Day on June 30, which will feature real-time views of near-Earth asteroids while discussing the characteristics and impact risks posed by the enigmatic chunks of ancient debris.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
1 July 2025
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But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
China’s Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
The Colma Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
-
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
These aren't abstract policy concerns—they are grounded in fear of lost coverage, increased hardship and in some cases, premature death.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
In addition, Saddleback Medical Center has an on-site level III NICU equipped to support premature and fragile infants with a team of neonatologists, specialized NICU nurses, and respiratory therapists available 24/7.—
Advertorial,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Overall, the graves have slowly revealed new clues about the prehistoric society that lived in the region thousands of years ago.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
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Director Gareth Edwards and screenwriter David Koepp give EW the inside scoop on creating these prehistoric monsters.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Sharif was shaken by the drastic shift in his wife’s priorities, and her sudden dissatisfaction with their life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
Deputies promptly secured the scene and returned the following day with agents and analysts from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as well as two cadaver dog teams from Colorado Forensic Canines, authorities added.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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This depends on your criteria, but UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain came into this tournament as the presumptive best team and promptly produced the most impressive win of the group stage, dismantling Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the sweltering heat of the Rose Bowl.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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