Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for before. Search instead for befoole.
Definitions

before

[bih-fawr, -fohr] / bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /
ADVERB
earlier
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ahead back previously since sooner
WEAK
afore aforetime ante antecedently anteriorly before present ere fore former formerly forward heretofore in advance in days of yore in front in the old days in the past past precendently previous up to now
Antonyms
WEAK
after afterward behind later
PREPOSITION
earlier than
Synonyms
STRONGEST
since
WEAK
ahead of ante antecedent to anterior to ere in advance of in front of preceding previous to prior to
Antonyms
WEAK
after afterward behind later

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.

By tracing its path backward over billions of years, they determined that the star originated in the Large Magellanic Cloud before eventually being pulled into the Milky Way.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

He dropped out early and John McCain won the GOP presidential nomination, before losing to Barack Obama that November.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

The reason: If you have to take income from your retirement fund before your RMDs hit, you’re losing possibly decades of potential returns.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

A writer, he once worked on cultural issues for Cuba’s communist government, before moving abroad.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

I’m rewarded with a slobbery wet kiss before I head into the school and the life I chose for me.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.