sooner or later

adverb

Synonyms of sooner or laternext
: at some uncertain future time : sometime

Synonyms of sooner or later

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Examples of sooner or later in a Sentence

sooner or later, the police are going to track down the burglar
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trump will depart sooner or later, the banners will be torn down and much of his petty talk will be and should be forgotten. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Nico O’Reilly will likely come in sooner or later, Ruben Dias seems set to be made captain by Maresca, and Josko Gvardiol has played a key role in the build-up this summer. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 But sooner or later, scientists say, California's earthquake faults will rupture in a way not seen in the modern era. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 Piled up, buried, boxed, tagged, incinerated, and, sooner or later, anonymous. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sooner or later

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sooner or later was in 1577

Rhymes for sooner or later

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Browse Nearby Words

sooner
sooner or later
sooner rather than later
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Cite this Entry

“Sooner or later.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sooner%20or%20later. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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