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Showing results for before.
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.

Michel, whose work required overseeing and strategizing on website content, has been here before.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

This work is essential before any potential therapies can be developed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

After crashing his vehicle last week in Florida, Tiger Woods took out his phone and told a deputy, “I was just talking to the president,” before his arrest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Sophie met the prosecutor before the trial and said "thankfully he was very nice".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

I’d never seen it before, but it’s literally on our rez.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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