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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of early
John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Crowds came to see the automaton chess player for reasons ranging from the simple desire for entertainment to a more complex engagement with early nineteenth-century ideas of individualism and agency.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
The performance was delivered and recorded live at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City earlier this month.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
President Donald Trump appears to have retained his tight grip on the Republican establishment, but some of his early term actions could scramble that.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Crowds came to see the automaton chess player for reasons ranging from the simple desire for entertainment to a more complex engagement with early nineteenth-century ideas of individualism and agency.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
Adverb
Under the proposal being considered, elementary schools would start and end earlier, while middle and high schools would start and end later.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
The performance was delivered and recorded live at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City earlier this month.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
Because they were never built to last, Iceland doesn’t boast any ancient buildings and that’s why the country’s medieval manuscripts are lovingly known as the Cathedrals of Iceland.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
In the early to mid–first millennium BCE, ancient horse-riding peoples known as the Siberian Scythians lived in the Altai-Sayan Mountains—a region that spans parts of modern-day Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
His unexpected cameo also served as a promotion for his Big3 basketball league, which is slated to play games at Heritage Bank Center on July 26, the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
27 July 2025
-
However, as the day progresses, unexpected events might catch you off guard, which could test your patience.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 July 2025
Adverb
-
Rather than just revel in shock and joy, Harman immediately looked a few steps out.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Reps for Warren and Cruz did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
1 Aug. 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
-
To those who watched him, the premature end to his career prolonged a day that would have otherwise come long ago.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
This pollution is associated with premature deaths and hospitalizations from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Both types of stone are fossilized prehistoric corals that are about 350 million years old, according to Visit Charlevoix.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
-
Here, evidence of prehistoric art can be found in rock formations such as the Gruta do Janelão cave, the largest in the canyon.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
Then Kings of Leon and Black Keys come out of Nashville and then all of a sudden the diversity of the music that was coming out of there started to really grow over a short period of time.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adverb
-
In February, President Donald Trump made an aggressive push to reshape the Kennedy Center by firing its leader, naming a longtime confidant as interim executive director, dismissing board members appointed by Democrats and then appointing his own trustees who promptly elected him as chair.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
-
Follow evacuation orders: If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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