early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of earlynext
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

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē How to pronounce early (audio)
as in immediately
before the usual or expected time that year spring arrived early

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 early
Adjective
With soaring childcare costs pushing young mothers out of the workforce, private investment in early learning is likely to keep drawing attention. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 In early 2024, Pelley left the European Tour Group after the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of LIV Golf formed a joint company to reshape pro golf and returned to Canada to become the MLSE head. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Taylor was sacked five times and pulled from the game with the Bulldogs down by 26 early in the fourth quarter. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 The Fever did not attribute the injury to Thomas’ contact, and Clark had already experienced back trouble earlier in the season. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
  1. ancient
  2. unexpected
  3. immediately
  4. primitive
  5. premature
  6. prematurely
  7. prehistoric
  8. sudden
Adjective
  • Our research is already leading in new directions beyond ancient interiors.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • For scientists, the harder question has been how oxygen stayed abundant for millions of years afterward — long enough, as ancient rocks suggest, to set the stage for the emergence of increasingly complex life.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Stubborn inflation, blowback from White House trade policies, and a formidable Democratic challenger in megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton have combined to turn ruby-red Kansas into an unexpected Senate battleground.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mandatory statewide caps on property taxes would tie the hands of local governments to deal with the rapid growth and address unexpected emergencies.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adverb
  • His office did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press regarding a possible snap election.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Reps for Bryan and Gillette stadium did not immediately return a request for comment.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • Prince figured out how to make primitive-sounding electronics feel human.
    — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
  • They’re rooted in a time and place that feels all too real, and this allows the monsters to parade their primitive might in a way that means something.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • Machchhar also described an onboard emergency when a pregnant woman went into premature labor, forcing the crew to divert the plane.
    — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ashley Randolph Ashley Randolph transformed personal struggles into hope and support for Black families navigating premature births.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of premature
Adverb
  • Enforcing rigid standards prematurely—as early Space Development Agency (SDA) mandates demonstrated—can freeze sub-optimal designs and throttle rapid tech iteration.
    — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The committee said the child was born extremely prematurely, at 26 weeks and three days, while the family was abroad.
    — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adjective
  • Stroll through the woods and encounter prehistoric scenes, luminous flowers, lantern art and a host of mythical creatures.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Think fewer flowers and more new prehistoric species named in your honor.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • There’s a fascinating synchronicity between the current real-world anxiety and the film industry’s sudden interest in dense studies of the tech world’s dark underbelly.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Other symptoms include sudden high fever and chills, headaches, and pain in the abdomen, legs and arms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls
early
earmark
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Cite this Entry

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

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