before now

ADJECTIVE

beforehand

Synonyms

STRONGEST

earlier sooner

STRONG

ahead

WEAK

advanced ahead of time already ante antecedently before fore in advance in anticipation precedently precocious previous previously

ADVERB

earlier

Synonyms

STRONGEST

before previously

ADVERB

previously

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already formerly heretofore hitherto long ago once then

STRONG

antecedently

WEAK

a while ago ahead ante at one time away back back back when before beforehand erstwhile fore forward in advance in anticipation in days gone by in the past precedently time was until now

Antonyms

WEAK

currently future later presently

ADVERB

already

Synonyms

STRONGEST

before earlier once previously then

WEAK

as of now at present but now by now by that time by the time mentioned by then by this time even now formerly heretofore in the past just now now up to now

Antonyms

STRONGEST

later

ADVERB

formerly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already earlier heretofore once

STRONG

erstwhile

WEAK

a while back aforetime anciently at one time away back back back when before before this down memory lane eons ago erewhile in former times in the olden days in the past lately long ago of old of yore olden days once upon a time radically some time ago time was used to be water under the bridge

Antonyms

WEAK

currently future presently subsequently

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.

“People who didn’t care about politics before, now find it fashionable to express political views, to be concerned about the suffering of the people and to complain about authorities,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

The city’s biggest event before now was the 2023 NFL draft, which attracted mostly locals and was free to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"The hymn was copied by children at school. It's unusual that such a popular text in its day was unknown to us before now," noted Jiménez.

From Science Daily • Nov. 11, 2025

Odai al-Zobi has also recently returned to Syria after 14 years – he left to study but says he was unable to come back before now because he was outspoken about the regime.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

I didn’t realize it before now, but Bess leaving is what killed my belief in romantic love.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

before now

Example Sentences

Related Words