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
Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Their one-day Start-up Money conference on May 29th sought to bring together the region’s leading startups with venture capital focused on early stage technology companies.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 June 2025
Le Goy, who has been with the studio for over 25 years and earlier served as president of distribution for Sony Pictures TV, now has the top post at the division.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition have faced the most serious challenge to their power since Oct. 7 after a bill to dissolve parliament and call for early elections failed.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Their one-day Start-up Money conference on May 29th sought to bring together the region’s leading startups with venture capital focused on early stage technology companies.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Adverb
In its latest quarterly earnings report, Apple’s revenue exceeded Wall Street expectations, including sales of its iPhone, which ticked up 2% compared to the same period a year earlier.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 June 2025
Le Goy, who has been with the studio for over 25 years and earlier served as president of distribution for Sony Pictures TV, now has the top post at the division.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
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For example, the presence of clay minerals indicates past interactions between volcanic materials and water, hinting at the possibility of ancient habitable environments, according to the statement.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
6 June 2025
-
Casablanca has opened its first stand-alone store at 62 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and is shaking up the neighborhood with a colorful, youthful energy and interiors inspired by ancient Greece, Japan and the game of tennis.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
Adverb
-
But the momentum shifted back to Tampa Bay immediately when Castillo dropped a routine throw from Pete Alonso at first base to begin the sixth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2025
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Odds are, their eyes won’t immediately be drawn to a bright piece of furniture or particularly stylish accessory.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 June 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
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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What is the reason for these premature eliminations, despite being one of the most consistent teams in the Eastern Conference since 2018?—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
But while friends and family of the teen mourned her premature death, anti-trans commentators on X turned Fosgate’s last posts into an whirlwind of transphobia — misgendering her, mocking her, and celebrating her family’s loss.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Since gold is nearly indestructible and has been recycled many times, much of the gold used today dates from prehistoric ages.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
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More fossils will be needed to know if the prehistoric waterwheels grew snap traps to enclose small aquatic invertebrates, like its modern counterparts, but the lineage was already present during a time when the world was warmer and wetter, and mammals were just beginning to get big.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
After Earps’ announcement, Wiegman was asked what her long-time goalkeeper’s sudden international retirement two months before a major tournament said about the unity of the team.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Adverb
-
As Kagan said in court on Thursday, the Mexican government might have had a good theory, but U.S cities brought similar suits in the early 2000s, and Congress promptly passed a law shielding gun manufacturers from lawsuits stemming from the criminal use of a firearm by a third party.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
5 June 2025
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Even a minor issue can escalate into a major reputational disaster if it’s not handled promptly and transparently.—
Valentina Drofa,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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