get ahead

phrase

Synonyms of get aheadnext
: to achieve success
determined to get ahead in life

Examples of get ahead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This is actually a great opportunity to get ahead of all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping chaos. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026 In my view, the government must get ahead of that curve by establishing a full-fledged Department of AI, rather than leaving it to a single individual. — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026 Florida International University is a massive public institution with a reputation for helping low- and middle-income students get ahead and the University of Miami is a selective private institution with a major medical research component. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026 With Día de Muertos just a month away, outdoor footwear manufacturer Timberland is getting ahead of the Mexican holiday celebration with the launch of a new Premium 6-Inch waterproof boot pack made up of unique styles for men and women. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for get ahead

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of get ahead was in 1807

Rhymes for get ahead

See All Rhymes for get ahead

Browse Nearby Words

get a grip on
get ahead
get a laugh
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Get ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20ahead. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on get ahead

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for get ahead

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All