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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.

“Even after the conflict ends, there’s a messy cleanup that is going to take a couple of months before things ‘normalize.’

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Discussions started before the war in Iran, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A man said he was in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd for 22 hours after he suffered a heart attack - and had been in a cupboard before getting on to a ward.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The BLM managed the land before the Mojave National Preserve was established in 1994.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

SJ waits until everyone is settled before she pulls out of the parking lot.

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