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
Robert Lang, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
An earlier Keck study also associated smoking marijuana with up to a five-times higher risk of head and neck cancer compared to those who don’t smoke.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Arriving early in 1918, Connecticut soldiers were among the first American troops to take positions on the jagged front and the first to draw blood and suffer casualties, The Courant reported.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
The exhibition opens with Korine’s early works from 1997 onward, establishing his interest in non-linear storytelling.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
An earlier Keck study also associated smoking marijuana with up to a five-times higher risk of head and neck cancer compared to those who don’t smoke.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Two postmen came every day; the one from the South generally came earlier.
—Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Arriving early in 1918, Connecticut soldiers were among the first American troops to take positions on the jagged front and the first to draw blood and suffer casualties, The Courant reported.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
But this modern approach is teamed with ancient medicinal practices and a holistic, full-circle philosophy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Passover is a major Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Reviewing these options in advance can help prevent unexpected medical expenses later in the year.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Chalker’s strategy for clearing his reputation—which had been the foundation of his lucrative business—was unexpected, to say the least.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Charges against him related to the shooting were not immediately filed, and his name was not released.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ames had her home tested after that, and those results confirmed the house had mold − with high enough levels in the air alone that experts told the Ames family to leave their home immediately.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For example, synthetic blastoids develop a blastocoel cavity and the three main cell types (epiblast, trophectoderm, and primitive endoderm) within one week, just like natural blastocysts.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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There are nine primitive, tent-only sites without electric access.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
About 1 in 10 infants in the US was born premature in 2024, according to the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Example factors included the cost of a medical visit, premature death rates, access to mental health counselors, fruit and vegetable consumption, fitness and instruction centers per capita, physically active adults, parkland and quality of parks.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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If something goes wrong when the crew is in space, the suits may give the astronauts the option to either take an early abort and come home prematurely, or attempt to continue around the moon, Koch noted.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Visual observations have also shown that the coated perlite did not leach out prematurely.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her burial site wasn’t far from where other prehistoric remains have been discovered over the years, on what was once a bluff overlooking the river.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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Casa Grande's Great House Casa Grande, or the Great House, is one of the largest prehistoric structures built in North America.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Skarsgård’s character James ejaculating at the beach after a sudden handjob by Mia Goth’s freewheeling Gabi.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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