at the earliest
idiom
—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done
The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.
Examples of at the earliest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Riyadh is at the earliest stages [of its tourism industry] and Barcelona’s at the overdone kind of stage [according to Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle].
—
Nora Biette-Timmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2024
As a result, many analysts do not expect Fed rate cuts before September at the earliest.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 12 June 2024
The proposal needs to go through a regulatory review and is not expected to be implemented until next year, at the earliest.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 12 June 2024
Historically, farmers and poultry producers have used three main strategies to slow the spread: kill entire flocks of chickens and turkeys at the earliest sign of infection, surveil the movement of the virus, and improve biosecurity measures.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the earliest 
Nora Biette-Timmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2024
As a result, many analysts do not expect Fed rate cuts before September at the earliest.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 12 June 2024
The proposal needs to go through a regulatory review and is not expected to be implemented until next year, at the earliest.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 12 June 2024
Historically, farmers and poultry producers have used three main strategies to slow the spread: kill entire flocks of chickens and turkeys at the earliest sign of infection, surveil the movement of the virus, and improve biosecurity measures.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the earliest
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the earliest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at the earliest
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“At the earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20earliest. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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