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
The Deadline Team, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
In March, Cravalho traveled to Austin, Texas, for an early look at the documentary during SXSW.
—Cat Cardenas, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Smith usually shows his men’s collections in Paris, and earlier this year opted for a salon-style show at his showroom in the French capital.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Kilmer scored perhaps his signature role in the early 1990s, playing rock legend Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s biopic The Doors.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
In March, Cravalho traveled to Austin, Texas, for an early look at the documentary during SXSW.
—Cat Cardenas, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
In 2023-24, the proportion of first-time undergraduate degree completers who earned a certificate was about 1 in 7 (15.4%), compared to 1 in 9 (11.3%), a decade earlier in 2014-15.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Smith usually shows his men’s collections in Paris, and earlier this year opted for a salon-style show at his showroom in the French capital.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Nobody had ever birthed a mammal that had ancient DNA in it.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The dire wolf genome analyzed to determine what those changes were was extracted from two ancient samples—one a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Sheridan Pit, Ohio, the other a 72,000-year-old ear bone unearthed in American Falls, Idaho.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2002, Amazon required every executive to master an unexpected skill: writing press releases for products that didn’t yet exist.—
Daniel Lotzof,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
JuJu Watkins is receiving love from unexpected places.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
China is under pressure to negotiate a deal whether the tariffs take effect immediately or in three months, Ackman said in a post on X.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2025
-
These models are not immediately replacing user-facing interfaces like ChatGPT but are positioned as tools for developers building applications and services.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 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
-
Trying to draw parallels between him and a future Hall of Famer and two-time MVP is premature, absurd and unfair.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Other studies have shown that social isolation increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and premature death.—
Gail Matillo,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Part of what makes America beautiful is its special creatures like the prehistoric-looking Mojave desert tortoise, whose survival in Nevada is more dire since a federal grant awarded to protect it from being run over by cars is among the frozen grants.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Yet, no evidence of cooking or consumption has been found—unlike some other prehistoric sites where frog bones bear cut marks or signs of burning.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The fraught legal battle is also taking place amid a sudden round of visa revocations among international students at some of the country’s top universities, with college officials left unprepared and searching for answers from the government.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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Similar to his advice on Caterpillar, Cramer has in recent days been recommending investors not making any sudden movements with their portfolios because there’s so much uncertainty.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
This watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Ways to protect yourself during a tornado To ensure your safety during a tornado, remember that acting promptly is crucial, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Blue Jackets defenceman Jack Johnson, all 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds of him, promptly — and easily — threw Robertson into the boards.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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