before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of before
Preposition
The Justice Department's pardon attorney reviewed each of those cases before recommending them to White House lawyers, who then presented them to Biden. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024 Anthony Stolarz started in goal and stopped seven before leaving because of a lower-body injury. Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 The actor alleged law enforcement entered his bedroom during the arrest before transporting him to Chikkadpally Police Station. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024 First, there is the entrance of the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen, in which the student body from each school marches in formation on the gridiron before taking their seats in the stands. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for before 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • Indiana, Alabama and Tennessee are the teams most likely to travel to Austin.
    The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Jackson police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Preposition
  • As is the case with every playoff-eligible team, L.A. needed its stars to step up to keep pace in the playoff race against a Buffalo team fresh off clinching the AFC East and scoring 30-plus in six straight games.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • The Buffalo Bills just came up short against the Los Angeles Rams in what turned out to be the highest-scoring game of the season.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adverb
  • The police have already arrested the Defense Minister, the chief of the National Police, the head of the Metropolitan Police and the military counterintelligence commander for collaborating in the insurrection.
    Joohee Cho, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2024
  • It’s already accumulated more than 17 million streams on Spotify.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2024
Preposition
  • As a member of his inner circle, major donor, and co-leader of the new Department of Government Efficiency, Musk’s role as enforcer and influencer for Trump is starting to take shape.
    Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Withers appeared in each of Kaz's 22 episodes and rebounded shortly after its cancellation in 1979 with one of the roles he'd be remembered for throughout the rest of his career.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Adverb
  • Kat Dunbar spotted the strange object early one night several weeks ago while driving home with her children, and she was stumped.
    Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The score was tied at 10 early in the second quarter before Arizona State scored the game’s next 35 points to turn it into a rout.
    The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near before

Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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