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.

Sooner or later, the final picture is going to lose its novelty.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

"Sooner or later, there will be no alternative."

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Sooner or later, a new supreme leader will be selected.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

It’s a real window of opportunity, said Eric Cooper, founder of Sooner Private Financial Council in Salem, N.H.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 22, 2025

Sooner or later, I knew, I would have it out with either all of the gang or some of them.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers