at the earliest
idiom
—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done
The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.
Examples of at the earliest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Flights in Reagan Airport have since been grounded, and are expected to resume on 11 a.m. Thursday at the earliest, according to an announcement.
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Chad De Guzman, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
The suit blames the city’s water supply and infrastructure for their home’s damage, citing that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was offline for repairs that were requested in January 2024 and were not going to finish until April 2025 at the earliest, according to reporting from the Times.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors likely will not start deliberating until Wednesday at the earliest.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
If benefits are claimed at the earliest possible age of 62, that maximum payment drops to $2,831.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
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Chad De Guzman, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
The suit blames the city’s water supply and infrastructure for their home’s damage, citing that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was offline for repairs that were requested in January 2024 and were not going to finish until April 2025 at the earliest, according to reporting from the Times.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors likely will not start deliberating until Wednesday at the earliest.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
If benefits are claimed at the earliest possible age of 62, that maximum payment drops to $2,831.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at the earliest
Dictionary Entries Near at the earliest
Cite this Entry
“At the earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20earliest. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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