sooner

[soo-ner] / ˈsu nər /

ADJECTIVE

beforehand

Synonyms

STRONGEST

earlier

STRONG

ahead

WEAK

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

ADVERB

before

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ahead back previously since

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

ADVERB

rather

Synonyms

STRONGEST

willingly

WEAK

alternately alternatively as a matter of choice by choice by preference first in lieu of in preference just as soon more readily more willingly much sooner

Antonyms

WEAK

extremely insignificantly little violently

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.

"The sooner the decision is made, the less time we will waste moving on to the next phase," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“But it’s a complicated set of tradeoffs and this gives us the option to go public sooner if that ends up being best.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

The 29-year-old did not share details of exactly what happened and wrote she would "explain sooner or later".

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Identifying likely responders in advance could help patients reach the most effective therapy sooner and move diabetes care closer to precision medicine, she said.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

Mother pointed out that the sooner she got started, the sooner she could leave.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

sooner

Example Sentences

Related Words