earliest

adjective

Definition of earliestnext
as in first
coming before all others in time or order the earliest computers were massive machines that practically filled up a room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earliest
  1. first
  2. initial
  3. original
  4. foremost
Adjective
  • He is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
    Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
  • DeMar DeRozan will return to Chicago for the first time since coming to Sacramento in a three-team sign-and-trade deal last summer.
    Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
Definition of first
Adjective
  • The initial court ruled in favor of Chylak in October 2024.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025
  • After the flight from Cleveland, Mahomes headed to the Chiefs’ training facility for treatment and an initial flexibility assessment.
    Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • The limestone deposit that had yielded the Taung Child, as the original Australopithecus became known, also contained the remains of all sorts of other creatures, including baboons, turtles, and hyraxes.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Among the paperwork that comes with the car is Petty’s original work estimate for $26,900.
    Howard Walker, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of original
Adjective
  • The reigning Silver Slugger, who signed a five-year contract extension announced Wednesday, has also developed a reputation as the team’s foremost foodie.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
  • But rather than playing it safe, the foremost roast mistress delivered a masterful 10-minute monologue that was hilariously acerbic, pointed, and playful enough to keep the crowd on her good side.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of foremost
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near earliest

earlier

earliest

earliness

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earliest. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on earliest

Nglish: Translation of earliest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of earliest for Arabic Speakers

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