EARLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

early 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of early

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

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

early

2 of 2

adverb

ˈər-lē

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 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 early

Adjective

Those looking for a quieter time to visit, as well as colorful foliage and excellent wildlife viewing, should opt for the fall shoulder season in September or early-to-mid October. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The sporty coupe and convertible lasted through 2012, long outliving its early stablemates, the Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Adverb

One problem is that cutting-edge engines that burn hotter and use less fuel are coming up for maintenance far earlier than airlines expected. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Discovering Lofoten’s foodways Kitchen on the Edge of the World books up fast, so reserve your spot early. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early

Recent Examples of Synonyms for early

Adjective

Even the climbing-vine wallpaper is yellowed, as if gradually discolored by the cigarettes of a thousand ancient Sundays.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Madrid sits on an ancient migration route that has always been part of a vast grid of farming paths covering the Iberian Peninsula.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The tropical getaway also included some unexpected entertainment.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unexpected

Adverb

Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
There was little in the way of heavy equipment immediately available.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediately

Adjective

American consumers deserved bargains on digital watches, pocket calculators, and primitive computers.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Working with the era's primitive technology, Margaret thought through the various mishaps that could occur on a spaceflight and designed the software to handle every contingency.

— Dean Robbins, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of primitive

Adjective

Ramirez, who was born and raised in La Cañada Flintridge and worked at the resort in the 1990s, said the news release was premature.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
During pregnancy, invasive listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in newborns.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of premature

Adverb

Gonzalez declined to specify the exact injury that prematurely ended his preseason competition with Patterson.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
In a civil lawsuit against the city and the state, Los Angeles firefighters testified about a series of communication failures and questionable decisions by higher-ups that led crews to leave the area of the New Year’s Day fire prematurely.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prematurely

Adjective

This is not a sudden shift in attitude to defend a controversial CBA.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026
In addition to low blood oxygen levels and low blood pressure, a pulmonary embolism can affect the heart, causing a fast or irregular heart rate, right-sided heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

earls

early

earmark

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Style

“Early.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/early. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of early

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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