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
Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Some of the early-stage finalists may secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s Thinc Ventures.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
Lopez also struggled with quality control, though this is not uncommon for designers early in their careers.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Modern conservatism developed its own history and internal logic, emerging not merely in opposition but alongside liberalism as a powerful response to the social and economic upheavals of the early 20th century.
—Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Some of the early-stage finalists may secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s Thinc Ventures.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
The Senate passed a similar, but shorter, resolution condemning Kirk’s assassination and honoring his life and legacy by unanimous consent earlier this week.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
Lopez also struggled with quality control, though this is not uncommon for designers early in their careers.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The norm is for ancient dugouts found in southern Florida to be linked to ancestors of the Calusa, the Seminole or the Miccosukee, according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Scientists can analyze these ancient samples to infer ocean temperature, sea ice cover or levels of atmospheric gases at different moments across thousands of years.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For Cain, testifying at Craig's trial had unexpected emotional weight.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
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Another unexpected face on the runway?—
Kerry McDermott,
Vogue,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Matthews immediately went down and stayed on the field as medical staff rushed to the field.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Innovation resolves the key challenge of e-mobility MAHLE is also showcasing components for internal combustion engines that can be operated on up to 100% ethanol, massively and immediately reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of the existing vehicle pool.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Due to an accidental feature of this primitive technology, the color of television made in the middle nineteen sixties is essentially public, rather than private.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Campsites are a step above primitive, with nearby water, pit toilets, picnic tables and food lock-up boxes provided.—
Don Sproul,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, posted an image of six premature babies crammed inside a single incubator, and warned of imminent danger to their lives.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
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Without that grounding, the knowledge of large future sums can tempt young adults into premature retirement from ambition.—
Monish Verma,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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After an evil and jealous witch casts a spell on young Sophie that ages her prematurely, Howl must use all his magical talents to set things right.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Roughly 1 in 4 children who are infected will die prematurely from their infections.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On either side of the cool, free-flowing river, hollows flanking the water conceal outtakes from another time—from prehistoric sites dating back thousands of years to untamed wilderness and waterfalls left wholly untouched.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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Much of this prehistoric area is buried underwater today, but not all of it.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The sudden collapse of that system could trigger a violent scramble for territory and resources, destabilizing any transition.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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