as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the earliest computers were massive machines that practically filled up a room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earliest
Adjective
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Ace right-hander Jacob deGrom, making his first start of the season after being scratched Saturday with a neck injury, cruised through the first four innings and almost made if out of the fifth, but Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run double to tie the game at 3.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026 -
Yet this is part of a trend that’s defined the Knicks’ first season under Brown, one that also predated Brown’s arrival as a through-line over the course of last season’s playoff run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As well as continuing to restore water service to his residence after the initial altercation.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Instead of getting a kickstart on redetermination, which would have started in July under the initial bill, redeterminations will begin in 2027.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Throughout the property, the original building's bones— beams, tiles, pillars, and window frames—were gently restored to show their age and patina, not conceal it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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Judge Barrett, who handed down the original sentence, will likely be the one to do it.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Its seminary is the foremost clerical institution in the world, training students from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan in a wide range of topics, including Shiite jurisprudence, Quranic interpretation and Arabic literature.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
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The meeting has been positioned as a critical opportunity for both sides to reset the relationship between the world’s two foremost economic and military powers.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earliest. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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