1
2
as in against
preceding in space
the children always insisted on running before their parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 7 June 2026
The Eternal Sunshine Tour fans out in North American arenas through August before a 10-night stand at London’s O2 Arena late in the month.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Although the share of insured and uninsured stayed roughly the same in 2025 as the year before, the number of uninsured grew by about 800,000 — 300,000 of them children.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for before
Preposition
Video replay showed that Vegas forward Brett Howden entered the offensive zone ahead of the puck before sending Stone in on a breakaway with a pass to the middle of the ice.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 7 June 2026
The Eternal Sunshine Tour fans out in North American arenas through August before a 10-night stand at London’s O2 Arena late in the month.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Adverb
Alfalfa pellets are prepared the day before by soaking in water, sugar and compost to stimulate microbial activity.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Although the share of insured and uninsured stayed roughly the same in 2025 as the year before, the number of uninsured grew by about 800,000 — 300,000 of them children.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
-
Jake Duer followed with an RBI triple to right field, prompting a call to right-hander Rohan Kasanagottu.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Shine was found by patrol officers who responded to a disturbance at a home on Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa on Monday, according to police.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Preposition
-
The White House has also threatened secondary sanctions against companies that pay fees to Iran.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Amid an ongoing lawsuit filed by Phillip Pines against Khorram, Combs and several of his companies, Khorram is arguing that the case against her is legally insufficient, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
Together, the Democratic candidates account for nearly 56% of the vote so far, a sign of the difficult reelection path ahead for the incumbent.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The Knicks erased a fourteen-point Spurs lead in the third quarter and then surged ahead in the fourth, led once again by the New Yorker cover star Jalen Brunson, who added to his legend with a flurry of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
Trump has effectively imposed a fuel blockade on the island by threatening tariffs on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting seemingly endless power outages and delivering new blows to the island's already ailing economy.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Industry groups warned that capping emissions too much and too quickly would push refineries out of the state and drive up already soaring energy costs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Preposition
-
Politically, while there may have been the Ginsberg who was the heroic advocate for free expression in a 1956 California State Superior Court obscenity trial concerning Howl, there was also the Ginsberg who was a defender of NAMBLA in the 1980s (on first amendment grounds, but still).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Economic forum The attacks came as the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, or SPIEF, a major business event known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s version of Davos, gets underway in the city on Wednesday.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Adverb
-
The Trojans will now prepare to face Lamar University, which blew a five-run lead in a 7-5 loss to host Texas A&M earlier Friday.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Authorities said earlier that Baker was responsible for or involved in the deaths of three men — Robert Shine and John Carse, both 69, and a 79-year-old man who has not been identified.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
