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as in against
preceding in space
the children always insisted on running before their parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of before
Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Review: Questlove's Admiring Portrait Gives Sly Stone His Flowers
The album also arrives just weeks before the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Swims earned his first nomination for best new artist.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Schedule them for anytime in the next year before your next birthday.
—Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
The symptoms flared up again after a collision in practice before a Week 6 game at the Denver Broncos, according to Samuel.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for before 
Preposition
Decrease the oil temperature as needed to ensure the batter is cooked fully before the exterior browns.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Review: Questlove's Admiring Portrait Gives Sly Stone His Flowers
The album also arrives just weeks before the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Swims earned his first nomination for best new artist.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Schedule them for anytime in the next year before your next birthday.
—Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
The symptoms flared up again after a collision in practice before a Week 6 game at the Denver Broncos, according to Samuel.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
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Last year, after its exhaustive review of the existing evidence linking synthetic dyes to neurobehavioral problems in children, California passed a second law.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
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But with Robinson’s progress and a measured approach to his rehab, help is on the horizon.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2025
Preposition
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Taylor Swift came out to watch boyfriend Travis Kelce’s crucial play-offs match with the Kansas City Chiefs, who were up against the Houston Texans.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
19 Jan. 2025
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Biden also commuted sentences for 37 of 40 convicts on death row in federal prisons, which was largely a policy statement against capital punishment.—
Ron Faucheux,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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Kessler’s hiring could foretell antitrust litigation that would rattle a hockey world already coming to terms with the NCAA allowing more junior players to join Division I college teams.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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Except that was Joplin, someone who’s live-fast-burn-bright-die-young life and times had already been picked over for decades.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 Jan. 2025
Preposition
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Mimi Montgomery Updated Jan 20, 2025 - Axios D.C. Trump orders end to remote work, hiring freeze for federal workers President Trump signed executive orders Monday freezing the hiring of federal workers and mandating a full-time return to in-office work for government employees.—
Rebecca Falconer,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
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Biden grew particularly incensed when Trump went after his son, Hunter, on the campaign trail, accusing him of corruption and selling out the Biden family.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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With the Nuggets also defeating the Heat in Denver on Nov. 8 earlier this season, the Nuggets have now swept their two-game regular-season series against the Heat in five straight seasons.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Jan. 2025
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Delivering on pathways also requires starting earlier.—
Matt Gandal,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near before
Cite this Entry
“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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