ahead of

preposition

Definition of ahead ofnext
1
as in before
earlier than always arrives at school ahead of the bus we were cautioned not to fill out any of the test answers ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in in advance of
preceding in space the three lost children emerged from the forest, with the family dog walking proudly ahead of them

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 ahead of Donohue, a fellow Augustinian, was two years ahead of Pope Leo at Villanova. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 At the time of the crash, all northbound lanes were congested with traffic because a temporary Michigan Department of Transportation work zone closed two of the three lanes ahead of the crash scene. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Visconti died in March 1976, just two months ahead of the film’s Cannes premiere. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026 Reform California has spent more than $110,000 to produce the recommendations ahead of the November election, according to campaign finance records. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ahead of
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ahead of
  1. before
  2. against
  3. prior to
  4. to
Preposition
  • The seven-term lawmaker had been seen as one of the leading candidates in California's gubernatorial race before dropping out after the accusations surfaced.
    — ERIC TUCKER, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Florida law requires that a judge be admitted to the Florida Bar for at least five years before taking office (with no requirement for actual experience, just the fact of possessing a law license).
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of before
Preposition
  • Catholics have used Scripture to argue for and against deportations and strict immigration enforcement.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • This comes after Toney also already set the school record for single-game receiving yards in the season opener against Stanford.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of against
Preposition
  • Miami did a relatively fine job in Weeks 2 and 3 against some of the most talented backs in Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Kenneth Walker of the Chiefs but slipped up the two games prior to the bye against the Vikings and Bengals.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Gramm revealed that the two reconciled prior to the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of prior to
Preposition
  • The parties agreed to a framework for an agreement in May that required everyone who filed a claim to sign off.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Boise State defense also produced a turnover-on-downs in the final minutes, batting away several shots at the end zone to hold the Cougars to 10 points.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

ahead
ahead of
aid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ahead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ahead%20of. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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