EARLIER Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

earlier

adverb

as in ahead

so as to precede something in order of time he had arrived earlier to take care of some preliminary matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earlier

Adverb

In the campaign ahead, Lula is expected to try to capitalize on the popularity of his social policies and his rival's many legal woes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
While the completion of the structure marks an important achievement, the more important test is still ahead, as official commissioning is planned for November, after the remaining construction work is completed.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ahead

Adverb

Max Buchanan hurt Starting Hurricanes right guard Max Buchanan sustained an apparent knee injury early in the second quarter.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Word of Kreiz’s joining Paramount trickled out earlier in the day, but Ellison had already decided to wait until after market close to announce it.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of early

Adverb

In 2025, its respondents averaged $347,460 in fine-art purchases, up 19% from the year before.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
As the impact of the sanctions kicked in, Huawei's consumer business — once the company's largest by revenue — halved to about $34 billion in 2021 from the year before.

— Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of before

Adverb

According to court filings, Seaver previously worked for private military contractors and later provided security for Parton and her properties through his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services (SAPS), which is also a party to the lawsuit.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
The Nobel Prize in Physics, first given in 1901, has been previously awarded 119 times to 229 individuals.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of previously

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earl

earlier

earliest

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“Earlier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earlier. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of earlier

adverb

Example Sentences

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