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
Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Whereas Gamow had a scheme that the elements of the periodic table were forged in an early, hot, nucleosynthetic state shortly after the onset of the hot Big Bang, Hoyle claimed, correctly mind you, that the nuclear physics simply wouldn’t work out.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
That resilience was born early.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Adjective
Afterwards, a group of early humans buried her in an ancient, sacred place along a lakeshore.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Whereas Gamow had a scheme that the elements of the periodic table were forged in an early, hot, nucleosynthetic state shortly after the onset of the hot Big Bang, Hoyle claimed, correctly mind you, that the nuclear physics simply wouldn’t work out.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Witt has dealt with back stiffness earlier this season.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
That resilience was born early.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
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Klein now had most of the funds needed to save a unique stand of ancient forest.—
David Gelles,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
One would hope the Chicken Man, friend of ancient chickens, would eat less chicken, after all.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps the most unexpected insights from our conversation were about leadership.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Whether this unexpected lull means a season that falls (hopefully) short of those predictions remains uncertain.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Moved by her mother’s words, the couple got engaged on July 23, 2025, and decided to plan their wedding immediately.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Officers said — and video showed — the rancher moved his hands into his jacket after exiting his truck immediately following the crash.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Due to an accidental feature of this primitive technology, the color of television made in the middle nineteen sixties is essentially public, rather than private.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
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Campsites are a step above primitive, with nearby water, pit toilets, picnic tables and food lock-up boxes provided.—
Don Sproul,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The individual enemies in Silksong aren't very forgiving, either—just a few false moves can allow even random scrubs to get in enough damage to lead to a premature death.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
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Their sons, Bob and Max, were born in March 2009, seven weeks premature.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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That trust was funded from a medical award after her son was left with life-long disabilities after he was born prematurely.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Lorraine seems cool with it, Ed not so much, and then Judy comes in and hears what's going on, leading Tony to prematurely pop the question.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While Canada plays host to fascinating megafauna spanning from the polar bear to the gray wolf to the muskox, there’s one park in particular that offers a deep dive into the nation’s prehistoric past.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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According to Hamilton’s study, freely roaming bison in Yellowstone National Park—the only place in the lower 48 where bison have continuously free-ranged since prehistoric times—play a pivotal role in the ecosystem.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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