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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of early
Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Need something easy to throw on for that early morning flight?
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Dalia Faheid, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
With the Nuggets also defeating the Heat in Denver on Nov. 8 earlier this season, the Nuggets have now swept their two-game regular-season series against the Heat in five straight seasons.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for early 
Adjective
In recent years, Claire worked as a Globe associate and senior research fellow for early modern music at the Globe Theatre and a creative associate at the Old Vic Theatre in London, BBC News reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Need something easy to throw on for that early morning flight?
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Just five hours earlier, Bojanovic and his girlfriend had evacuated after noticing the fire inching closer, ash falling from the sky and the area beginning to fill with smoke.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
With the Nuggets also defeating the Heat in Denver on Nov. 8 earlier this season, the Nuggets have now swept their two-game regular-season series against the Heat in five straight seasons.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
-
As in the novel the story is based on, the events kick off with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which was a revolt during the late Eastern Han dynasty of ancient China.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Met Gala to a dusty archaeological dig in 1930s Egypt in this masterful historical mystery centering on a cursed ancient artifact.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
So unless something drastically unexpected occurs in the next week, creators would be wise to search for a replacement platform.—
Andrew R. Chow,
TIME,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The emo band’s sophomore album took an unexpected turn towards shoegaze and post-punk that has become revered by fans.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
15 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
That photographer also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The Context The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) immediately issued an evacuation order due to the Sunset Fire for a densely populated area bounded by Runyon Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east and Hollywood Boulevard on the south.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Tennis, squash, and badminton are at the forefront, showing a 47% lower risk of premature death, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
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Issues such as premature attachment to a denture, inadequate bone support, or improper angulation can all increase the risk of failure.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Does the music industry instantly revert to the prehistoric epoch of 2017—will Snapchat become the hottest major label scouting ground?—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The objects were removed from the site before the start of construction during two years of careful digging and include prehistoric tools and other artifacts made by human hands, as well as exceedingly rare and well-preserved animal and plant remnants.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There are even grief counselors and social workers who specialize in sudden loss.—
Maya Richard-Craven,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Fans were devastated by news of Morrison’s sudden and unexpected death at age 27.—
Makena Gera,
People.com,
12 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
He was promptly stopped by Corey Anderson in his next fight and then lost a unanimous decision to Nikita Krylov.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
-
Whelton says utilities can help alleviate people's exposure and health concerns by flushing the water systems promptly, testing the water repeatedly, and communicating problems and timelines with the public.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near early
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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