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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of early
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025
In early European trading, France's CAC 40 increased 0.2 percent, Germany's DAX gained 0.3 percent, and Britain's FTSE 100 remained flat.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
However, the foreign ministers from the Arab countries Rubio will visit already sent a letter to him earlier this month detailing their willingness to work with the Trump administration on a two-state solution, which the secretary has all but dismissed.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for early 
Adjective
One person suffered serious injuries during a rollover crash on Interstate 84 in Southington early Tuesday that left the highway shut down for hours.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025
In early European trading, France's CAC 40 increased 0.2 percent, Germany's DAX gained 0.3 percent, and Britain's FTSE 100 remained flat.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) filed a temporary restraining order against Trump’s executive order earlier this month, according to Reuters.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
However, the foreign ministers from the Arab countries Rubio will visit already sent a letter to him earlier this month detailing their willingness to work with the Trump administration on a two-state solution, which the secretary has all but dismissed.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for early
Recent Examples of Synonyms for early
Adjective
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Researchers in London recently uncovered a 2,000-year-old structure that once served as the hub of the bustling ancient city.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the plesiosaur is considered a successful marine predatory ancient species.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Allow vines to climb to unexpected areas and create dense plantings that make a yard look established.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2025
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Fictional superhero Helen Parr, better known as Elastigirl from The Incredibles (2004), has become an unexpected body inspiration on social media.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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What led to Friday’s shooting in the City of Brotherly Love wasn’t immediately clear.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
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The pilots ejected into San Diego Bay and were immediately recovered before being taken to a local hospital for medical assessment, according to Navy officials.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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If Ukraine is forced into a premature settlement without adequate safeguards, other U.S. allies—including those in NATO and the Indo-Pacific—would be reasonable to question the reliability of American commitments.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Studying how music therapy for extremely premature babies can boost their health outcomes.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Researchers have been able to examine the soft tissues of other prehistoric marine reptiles.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Feb. 2025
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Everyone's favorite candidate for the identity of the Loch Ness monster, the plesiosaurs were a group of prehistoric marine reptiles that lived in oceans throughout the world between 203 and 66 million years ago.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Written and directed by Dylan Southern and adapted from the book Grief Is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter, the new film follows a father (Cumberbatch) and his two sons (Richard and Henry Boxall) who are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their wife and mother.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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Casino magnate Steve Wynn promptly trumped the president and gave $1 million to the club as did two other billionaires.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
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They were promptly disqualified, as Ben Golliver of The Washington Post reports.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near early
Cite this Entry
“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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