early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of earlynext
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

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē How to pronounce early (audio)
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of early
Adjective
Police are investigating a possible murder-suicide after a man and woman were found fatally shot inside a Westwood home early Friday, sending shock waves through the well-to-do neighborhood. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 The victors in Miami will face whoever wins the other quarter-final in their half of the draw — world champions Argentina against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City later on Saturday (early Sunday in the UK). — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Adverb
In truth, a goal might not have counted anyway, since Haaland barged into Guehi earlier in the counter-attack. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026 Call it a coincidence -- or a tribute and celebration, one night early, for English midfielder Jude Bellingham. — Miami Herald, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
  1. ancient
  2. unexpected
  3. immediately
  4. primitive
  5. premature
  6. prematurely
  7. prehistoric
  8. sudden
Adjective
  • That verdant vista of a piece of ancient, intricate architecture centered me in storied Osaka and proved a delightfully consistent through line for my stay.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • This phenomenon of gravitational lensing has been used to great effect to study ancient galaxies that would usually be too distant and faint to see when they are gravitationally lensed by foreground galaxy clusters.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Today, his history is central to his unexpected and expensive campaign for governor that has jolted the state’s Republican politics.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
  • Her parents, Mariano and Beatriz, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ and shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, describing her death as a total shock and unexpected.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adverb
  • Trump weighs a return to war with Iran Sit’s attorney, Kate Corrigan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • The Oregon attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • Then, their caregiver responds by handing the package to the child to feel, saying the name of the food out loud, or another response that serves as a kind of primitive conversation.
    — Miranda Rake, Parents, 9 July 2026
  • The type of camping (primitive versus RV-permitted), facilities, seasonal openings, and the number of sites available vary by campground.
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • For now, the Census numbers indicate that calls predicting remote work’s demise may have been premature.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • The brand uses tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a gentle, stabilized form of vitamin C that brightens and protects against premature aging.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Definition of premature
Adverb
  • In December 2022, his son was born prematurely after an emergency C-section and needed expensive intensive care.
    — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • But to forcibly take their jobs from all controllers prematurely simply to follow some rigid sunset script is a terrible loss for the very shareholders the governistas claim to protect.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adjective
  • Millions of years ago, the peaceful water, lack of scavengers, and fine sediment created perfect conditions for preserving these plentiful prehistoric fossils—fish, alligators, stingrays, turtles, and even small horses have been found here.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
  • The site dates to Thailand’s late prehistoric period, also known as the Iron Age, which lasted roughly 2,500 to 1,500 years ago.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • The 61-year-old was treated in Greece for neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns, after a sudden cabin depressurization triggered oxygen masks and a rapid descent.
    — Costas Kantouris, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls
early
earmark
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Cite this Entry

“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of early for Spanish Speakers

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