Synonyms of before

before 1 of 2

preposition

1

as in to

earlier than

since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• to
• until
• till
• of
• prior to
• previous to
• ere
• in advance of
• 'fore
• ahead of
• afore
• fore
• up to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• after
• following
• since
• next
• next to

2

as in against

preceding in space

the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• against
• in front of
• ahead of
• 'fore
• afore
• in advance of
• fore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• after
• following

before

2 of 2

adverb

bi-ˈfȯr 

as in earlier

so as to precede something in order of time

their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earlier
• ahead
• already
• early
• previously
• beforehand
• now
• afore
• shortly
• preliminarily
• soon
• first
• anteriorly
• in advance
• formerly
• antecedently
• prematurely
• before long
• first off
• a priori
• presently
• erelong

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• later
• afterwards
• afterward
• after
• subsequently
• next
• behind
• by and by

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of before

Preposition

Even before streaming, TV was evolving to become more sophisticated on this front, like Alias. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

And the department has placed on leave the team that oversees the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a collection of survey responses from women before and after giving birth that has become a crucial tool in trying to address the country’s disconcertingly high rate of maternal mortality. —Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 18 Apr. 2025

Five others were hospitalized in the shootings, which began shortly before noon. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Brad Marchand scored 422 goals in 1,090 career regular-season games — and another 56 in 157 playoff games — with the Boston Bruins before being traded to the Florida Panthers on March 7. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing before

• before long