before 1 of 2

preposition

Definition of beforenext
1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

bi-ˈfȯr How to pronounce before (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of before
Preposition
Judge Kimberly Gallant said he must be fitted with an ankle monitor before his release and will then spend his time in home confinement. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The jury deliberates for just under 7 hours before leaving for the weekend. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
But what is going on before, after and in between those appointments? — Mick Safron, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 My usual deodorant has stopped working, and my sweat suddenly smells different or much stronger than before. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
  1. to
  2. against
  3. ahead
  4. of
  5. already
  6. early
Preposition
  • The 63-year-old Davis was convicted Monday of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Immediately, Osaka was drawn to the style legacy of basketball player Allen Iverson.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of to
Preposition
  • The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The informant cut a deal with prosecutors to record Vaughn and testify against him in exchange for drug charges against him being dropped.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of against
Adverb
  • Nor did Governor Shin Hyun Song rule out another tap of the brakes in the months ahead.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Crews may benefit from slightly cooler temperatures in the days ahead, Gass said, and wind conditions are expected to remain fairly calm in both areas.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ahead
Preposition
  • That could give small nuclear systems access to decades of engineering investment from industries that manufacture at vastly greater scale.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Graf also reiterated that his ruling was not a definitive finding of guilt, which will have to be determined by a jury during a future trial.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of of
Adverb
  • Some people are already the essence of themselves as children, and many others don’t get there until fifty or beyond.
    — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Georgians are extremely anti-Putin, but their government has already begun playing footsy with the Russian regime.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • That projection is 79% higher than the bank’s estimate from a year earlier.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of early

Phrases Containing before

Browse Nearby Words

befogs
before
beforehand
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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