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Definitions

early on

ADJECTIVE
premature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
immature incomplete untimely
WEAK
a bit previous abortive embryonic forward green inopportune overearly oversoon precipitate predeveloped previous raw soon unanticipated undeveloped unfledged unripe
Antonyms
WEAK
backward careful cautious delayed late mature overdue prepared slow
ADJECTIVE
untimely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ill-timed improper premature undue unfortunate
WEAK
a bit previous abortive anachronistic awkward badly timed bright and early disagreeable early early bird inauspicious inconvenient inexpedient inopportune intrusive malapropos mistimed out-of-date overearly oversoon previous soon too early too late unfavorable unfit unlucky unpropitious unseasonable unseemly unsuitable unsuited wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appropriate good suitable
WEAK
opportune timely

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He had chances to take the final frame of the opening session but missed a yellow off the spot early on as Zhao nudged back in front.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Still, even early on, audiences couldn’t take their eyes off him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Interviewees joke about how inscrutable he is, guess at aspects of his biography, and early on we hear Michaels’ belief that explaining humor is pointless.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Notice how round number theory played a role early on with a bearish shooting star on June 23 at the $300 level.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Her parents were still in bed when Brugman called so early on a Sunday morning.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone