1
as in early
before the usual or expected time
if you arrive beforehand, we won't be entirely prepared yet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
if you get ready beforehand, you won't have to rush at the last minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beforehand
The Rangers haven’t gone to a hearing — in which an independent arbiter decides on a player’s salary based on proposals from both sides — since 2000 when first baseman Lee Stevens and the club could not reach an agreement beforehand.
—
Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
The same plasma-heating technology is planned for STEP, meaning scientists will be able to replicate and observe its effectiveness beforehand.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
To limit these kinds of delays, users can prepare accurate information beforehand and double-check key details on both ends of a transaction.
—Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
But students don’t just appear in high school, there is roughly a decade of schooling beforehand.
—Michael Maguire, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beforehand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beforehand
Adverb
-
In danger of being blown out early, the Panthers actually took the lead — twice — in an extraordinary fourth quarter that kept viewers glued to their TVs around the country.—
-
The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early, but stormed back to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard's second touchdown of the run game early in the fourth quarter.—
Adverb
-
The federal government’s narrative could not immediately be verified.—
-
Rural Metro Fire shut the power off immediately, and after five hours and a complex rescue, first responders and a hazmat team removed Partida from the machine.—
Adverb
-
Want to get ahead at work with AI?—
-
While floral block prints are poised to become a darling of the wallpaper world in the year ahead, Rees says large-scale florals might create a distracting or chaotic feel that’s definitely not on the menu in 2026.—
Adverb
-
Christopher Patterson's mother held back tears as his family and friends gathered on Friday outside the home where the 23-year-old lost his life two days before.—
-
She’ll get treated with the same medicines that worked for her before, and we’ll be done.—
Adverb
-
By the time police arrived, the four suspects — black females between the ages of 18 and 23 — had already gone, but they were each caught on store surveillance cameras.—
-
Jessica Ranucci, a lawyer in the New York Attorney General’s office, said in the Friday hearing, which was conducted by telephone, that at least four of the states had already had money delayed after requesting it.—
Cite this Entry
“Beforehand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beforehand. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
