Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for before. Search instead for befre.
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.

If you make an IRA withdrawal before the age of 59½, you will have to pay a 10% early-withdrawal penalty.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

My maternal grandmother, Marcela Fernández, was born in 1914 in an Arizona copper town to parents who fled the Mexican Revolution before returning to their mountain pueblo in Zacatecas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The peptide industry was given just 10 minutes before the committee to present arguments that the six peptides were safe.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

The Parades Commission determination had placed conditions on a procession, applied for by some Cliftonville supporters, before it went ahead.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Some of the résumés look promising, so it shouldn’t be long before Dad hires someone, which will free me up to get back to my regular things, including finishing his boat.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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