EARLIER: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for EARLIER?

Need another word that means the same as “earlier”? Find 6 synonyms and 30 related words for “earlier” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Earlier” are: sooner, before, in the beginning, in the first place, originally, earliest

Earlier as an Adjective

Definitions of "Earlier" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “earlier” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Expected in the near future.
• Belonging to the distant past.
• (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early.
• Of an early stage in the development of a language or literature.
• Very young.
• Being or occurring at an early stage of development.
• At or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time.

Synonyms of "Earlier" as an adjective (1 Word)

earliest

(comparative and superlative of `early’) more early than; most early. Verdi s earliest and most raucous opera.

Usage Examples of "Earlier" as an adjective

• A fashion popular in earlier times.
• His earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher.

Earlier as an Adverb

Definitions of "Earlier" as an adverb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “earlier” as an adverb can have the following definitions:

• In good time.
• Before now.
• Before the usual time or the time expected.
• During an early stage.
• Earlier in time; previously.
• Comparatives of `soon' or `early.

Synonyms of "Earlier" as an adverb (5 Words)

before	During the period of time preceding a particular event or time. He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier.
in the beginning	To or toward the inside of.
in the first place	To or toward the inside of.
originally	In an original manner. The suggestions so originally and persuasively outlined.
sooner	In the near future. I d sooner die than give up.

Usage Examples of "Earlier" as an adverb

• I mentioned that problem earlier.
• He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier.
• Her parents had died four years earlier.
• Came earlier than I expected.

Associations of "Earlier" (30 Words)

ahead	Ahead of time in anticipation. The horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch.
ancient	A person who lived in ancient times. Ancient Greece.
antecedence	Preceding in time.
antiquate	Make obsolete or old-fashioned.
beforehand	Being ahead of time or need. Was beforehand with her report.
beginning	The background or origins of a person or organization. He left at the beginning of February.
betimes	In good time. He awoke betimes that morning.
colonist	A settler in or inhabitant of a colony.
embryonic	Of an organism prior to birth or hatching. The plan is still in its embryonic stages.
emerging	Becoming apparent or prominent. Established and emerging artists.
first	The first or highest in an ordering or series. The first verse.
germinal	In the earliest stage of development. De Beauvoir s germinal book The Second Sex.
history	A past characterized by a particular thing. History takes the long view.
inchoate	(of an offence, such as incitement or conspiracy) anticipating or preparatory to a further criminal act. A still inchoate democracy.
inchoative	An inchoative verb. Inchoative stages.
initial	Mark with one s initials. The witness was identified simply by an initial letter.
medieval	As if belonging to the Middle Ages; old-fashioned and unenlightened. A medieval attitude toward dating.
neolithic	Latest part of the Stone Age beginning about 10,000 BC in the Middle East (but later elsewhere.
paleolithic	Of or relating to the second period of the Stone Age (following the eolithic. Paleolithic artifacts.
pioneer	Open up a road or terrain as a pioneer. The technique was pioneered by a Swiss doctor in the 1930s.
predate	Be earlier in time; go back further. These mammals predate certain eggs.
premature	Uncommonly early or before the expected time. The sun can cause premature ageing.
prematurely	Before the end of the normal period of gestation. I spoke prematurely.
previous	Previous convictions a criminal record. The previous occupant of the White House.
primal	Serving as an essential component. Rivers were the primal highways of life.
primeval	Having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state. Mile after mile of primeval forest.
primitive	A painting by a primitive artist or an object in a primitive style. Santa Fe style antiques and Mexican primitives.
primordial	(of a cell, part, or tissue) in the earliest stage of development. Primordial forms of life.
settler	A negotiator who settles disputes. The early European settlers in America were often fleeing from religious persecution.
untimely	At a time that is unsuitable or premature. Dave s untimely return.