ahead 1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈhed How to pronounce ahead (audio)
Definition of aheadnext
1
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time call ahead for reservations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in onwards
toward a point ahead in space or time sent me ahead to get a place in the check-out line while she went to get the eggs and milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in forward
toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time the line moved ahead at a snail's pace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ahead

2 of 2

adjective

as in early

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ahead
  1. forward
  2. early
  3. onward
  4. prior
  5. already
  6. forwards
  7. previous
  8. along
Adverb
  • The mother-in-law later called, asking about the incident and suggesting that Hector had been looking forward to the trip since being laid off.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The fallout, the inquest, the recriminations and perhaps dire financial consequences are all to follow, but at least at the Amex this weekend, Leicester were finally afforded an opportunity to look forward again.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of forward
Adjective
  • Colossal said two of the dire wolves were born late last year, while the third arrived in early 2025.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Mahdi's earliest memory was his father slamming his mother through a glass table and later lying to his son and saying his mother was dead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of early
Adverb
  • And so, as opportunities kept presenting themselves, her time on the road kept stretching onward.
    — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Stay here awhile or continue onward.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • Their story: While many fans were devastated to see James struggle with speed dating, his connection with Shelley Hassell has more than made up for his lack of prior matches.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When prior expectations were laid out in March, imports were expected to increase 2.8 percent to reach 2.14 million TEUs.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of prior
Adverb
  • But one flaw — a fatal flaw in October — has already crept into the good-time vibes.
    — Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Without starters going more than five innings, the Mets have taxed their relievers already.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of already
Adverb
  • Soccer can be tedious to watch unless the midfielders and forwards have enough ability to overcome the sport’s stiff barriers against offense.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • There’s lane centering (although not quite autonomous highway driving in the UK), automatic emergency braking, and cross traffic systems that alert you when travelling forwards and apply brakes when reversing.
    — James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of forwards
Adjective
  • His touchline frustration with George has been startlingly visible at times and his comments about Chelsea’s struggles to create in the first half against Copenhagen in the previous round seemed to draw a straight line to the presence of George and Shim Mheuka in the team.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • None of the previous three — Jose Maria Olazabal in 1995, Jordan Spieth in 2016 or Tiger Woods in 2020 — went on to win.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of previous
Adverb
  • As Leon’s production toils blandly along, Washington employs a light, high delivery, lapsing into vagueness and singsong.
    — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • On a match day, the keenest supporters would gravitate to the main entrance halfway along, just after the dressing room windows where Ian Wright occasionally peered out and caused a commotion.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of along
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.

Phrases Containing ahead

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aha
ahead
ahead of
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Cite this Entry

“Ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ahead. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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