at the earliest
idiom
—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done
The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.
Examples of at the earliest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He is not expected back until later this month at the earliest.
—
Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The study, which will wrap up next year at the earliest, aims to help researchers find relationships between pollutants and health.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 15 Sep. 2025
Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The agency began issuing overpayment notices on April 25, 2025, and would start withholding 50% of the recipient's benefits after about 90 days (or approximately July 24, at the earliest), until the overpayment is repaid.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The study, which will wrap up next year at the earliest, aims to help researchers find relationships between pollutants and health.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 15 Sep. 2025
Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The agency began issuing overpayment notices on April 25, 2025, and would start withholding 50% of the recipient's benefits after about 90 days (or approximately July 24, at the earliest), until the overpayment is repaid.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the earliest
Cite this Entry
“At the earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20earliest. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share