1. (adverb)earlier, earliest (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early Synonyms: earlier, earliest Antonyms: late, middle
2. (adverb)earlier, before earlier in time; previously Synonyms: in the beginning, originally, ahead, to begin with, sooner, in front, earlier, in the first place, before Antonyms: middle, late
3. (adverb)sooner, earlier comparatives of `soon' or `early' Synonyms: sooner, rather, in the beginning, originally, before, to begin with, preferably, earlier, in the first place Antonyms: middle, late
4. (adverb)in the first place, earlier, in the beginning, to begin with, originally before now Synonyms: in the beginning, primitively, in the first place, originally, before, sooner, to begin with, earlier, primarily Antonyms: late, middle
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Antonyms of 'earlier'
English Synonyms and Antonyms
1. earlier Antecedent may denote simple priority in time, implying no direct connection between that which goes before and that which follows; as, the striking of one clock may be always antecedent to the s Synonyms: previous, antecedent, foregoing, front, preceding, anterior, former, introductory, preliminary, earlier, forward, precedent, prior Antonyms: after, consequent, hind, hindmost, latter, subsequent, concluding, following, hinder, later, posterior, succeeding
Synonyms for earlier 
