Definitions

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.

You are correct to act sooner rather than later, especially if your mom is declining.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 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

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

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Earlier this year, Honeywell said it planned to spin off its aerospace unit sooner than previously expected after Chief Executive Vimal Kapur said there was considerable progress on its portfolio optimization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

And after a little while, he said, “I’d sooner have you home.”

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

sooner

Example Sentences

Related Words