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
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Recent Examples of early
Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Syphilis is back on the rise across the United States after being nearly eliminated in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The Chase and Higgins signings nonetheless exemplify the power of Burrow, who remained adamant this offseason about not only retaining his former LSU teammate Chase but also Higgins, who received the franchise tag for the second straight year earlier this month.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
But on Friday, California’s Second Appellate District reversed that ruling under a California law that allows for the early dismissal of claims intended to chill free speech.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Syphilis is back on the rise across the United States after being nearly eliminated in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025
Adverb
In Florida, Republican Senator Jonathan Martin introduced Senate Bill 852 after Governor Ron DeSantis expressed on X earlier this year his support for eliminating property taxes entirely.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The Chase and Higgins signings nonetheless exemplify the power of Burrow, who remained adamant this offseason about not only retaining his former LSU teammate Chase but also Higgins, who received the franchise tag for the second straight year earlier this month.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
The dire wolf genome analyzed to determine what those changes were was extracted from two ancient samples—one a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Sheridan Pit, Ohio, the other a 72,000-year-old ear bone unearthed in American Falls, Idaho.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
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Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In 2002, Amazon required every executive to master an unexpected skill: writing press releases for products that didn’t yet exist.—
Daniel Lotzof,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
JuJu Watkins is receiving love from unexpected places.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Trump claimed the rates were roughly half of the tariffs that these countries impose on U.S. goods, but the details of how they were arrived at weren’t immediately available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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Transportation is America’s largest sources of harmful air pollution and vehicle tailpipe emissions are tied to higher rates of asthma and premature death.—
Margo T. Oge,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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First described by Yale psychologist Irving Janis in 1972, groupthink leads to premature decisions, often bad ones, spurred by conformity within groups where any one person feels that disagreement is impossible.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bear's remains provide a glimpse into the region's prehistoric fauna and climatic conditions.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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These megafauna ate prehistoric avocados whole, spreading the pits—and, as a consequence, the fruits—across the region.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Don’t be surprised if your insights come through unconventional means — like a sudden dream, a deep gut feeling or even a meaningful synchronicity that guides you toward a new direction.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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While the stock market recovered over the next two years, the sudden crash prompted the New York Stock Exchange to introduce circuit breakers—temporary halts in trading intended to calm markets and prevent panic selling—which kick in when stock prices fall too sharply, too fast.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Blue Jackets defenceman Jack Johnson, all 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds of him, promptly — and easily — threw Robertson into the boards.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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This watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Ways to protect yourself during a tornado To ensure your safety during a tornado, remember that acting promptly is crucial, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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