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
Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
In the northern city of Porto Torres, several petrochemical plants, a thermoelectric power plant, and an industrial harbor employed about 8,000 workers in the early 1970s.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
What otherwise might be viewed as an aspect of maturation or the spirit moving him also happens to be unfurling early in a season in which the Royals had stressed the need for their young-ish core to seize control of the team.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The eggs’ nitrogen isotope ratios can thereby help reconstruct the rainfall experienced by early humans across Africa and Asia.
—Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
In the northern city of Porto Torres, several petrochemical plants, a thermoelectric power plant, and an industrial harbor employed about 8,000 workers in the early 1970s.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
Adverb
The Panthers entered the race as heavy favorites, having run a time 14 seconds faster than Niceville earlier in the season.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
What otherwise might be viewed as an aspect of maturation or the spirit moving him also happens to be unfurling early in a season in which the Royals had stressed the need for their young-ish core to seize control of the team.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Clouds is the first luxury retreat for visitors to this national park—a more ancient and biodiverse ecosystem than the Virunga Mountains, inhabited by Rwanda and Congo’s gorilla population.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Images of the shelter slipped the Russian choke hold to appear on the world’s screens—intact and unbowed amid the rubble, like a temple time-transported from some more ancient siege, the faces of those within drained but resolute.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Tell students not to click unexpected links, share codes or respond to scary messages without checking first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
In this context, digital health platforms have emerged as unexpected allies in breaking down long-standing research barriers.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Adverb
-
Neither Moorer nor his attorney could immediately be reached for comment.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
His condition was not immediately clear.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Analysts note Iran was able to penetrate US air defenses in the Persian Gulf with relatively primitive technology, including low-cost Shahed drones and lower-cost ballistic missiles.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Hannes’s roommate, Gundula (Marlene Burow), uses a primitive nineteen-seventies version of Tony’s 2020 technology to study and decode the behavior of her potted geranium.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
During my first pregnancy four years earlier, I had been hospitalized for a couple of months due to premature labor.—
Eloisa James,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adverb
-
Minter underwent surgery to repair the tear, ending his season prematurely.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The decision is the latest blow for Abbott over the issue of whether its formula for babies born prematurely causes a devastating intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the garden, his massive stone monoliths seem almost prehistoric.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
-
Sites that preserve soft-bodied organisms are even rarer because soft tissues decompose more easily, making these places especially useful for piecing together prehistoric ecosystems.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
If the arteries are leading to the brain, symptoms may involve sudden numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary vision loss in one eye or facial drooping.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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The vote of confidence from Multicoin continued what has been a sudden revival of interest in Zcash, which first launched in 2016.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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