20
begin with(verb, expression, phrasal verb, firstly)
17
previous(adjective, time, back, late, old)
16
before(adverb, late, past, previous, early)
16
former(adjective, order, time, back, late)
15
previously(adjective, adverb, back, late, first)
14
preceding(adjective, adverb, time, late, old)
14
once(adjective, adverb, late, old, past)
14
prior(adjective, time, late, old, past)
12
formerly(adverb, precede, before)
12
heretofore(adverb, back, late, past, previous)
11
erstwhile(adjective, adverb, late, old, past)
10
already(adverb, late, early, now, then)
10
beforehand(adjective, adverb, advanced, first, forward)
10
foregoing(adjective, time, late, old, past)
9
early(adjective, adverb, late, old, past)
8
aforementioned
8
past(adjective, time, former, olden)
7
sooner(adverb, before)
6
advance(adjective, time, first, forward, precede)
6
antecedent(adjective, time, precede, before, prior)
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APASmart Define. (2015). earlier thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/earlier/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "earlier thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/earlier/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, earlier thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/earlier/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "earlier thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/earlier/thesaurus/synonyms>