beforehand

adverb

bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand How to pronounce beforehand (audio)
Definition of beforehandnext
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 Federal law currently bans most robocalls to cellphones unless the caller gets consent beforehand. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 At the same time, Zaslav more than doubled the number of employees who held equity in WBD compared with the two companies separately beforehand. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 His attorneys had warned in legal filings beforehand that his medical problems — including lung cancer, COPD, prostate cancer and pneumonia — could make for an exceptionally painful execution. — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026 That might mean that coverage is verified or the patient receives understandable information about the options beforehand. — Prashanthi Nuthi, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 All three will report to Dogra, whereas beforehand Compton and Nataraja reported to Katz. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 He was briefed on the operation beforehand, shared a common vocabulary with one of the co-conspirators, Solages, and received details in the aftermath. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 The agents had passed notes to one another for months beforehand. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Medicine and Small Valuables An open house means welcoming strangers into your home, so anything valuable, sensitive, or easy to pocket should be stowed away beforehand. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beforehand
  1. early
  2. ahead
  3. immediately
  4. before
  5. already
Adverb
  • But viewers had already seen Rosalía in them minutes earlier, at the conclusion of her one appearance in a comedy sketch.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Even early in the morning, the cafe had locals in doing breakfast meetings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of early
Adverb
  • Releases in North America and other markets are expected in the months ahead.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati – the latest miserable day during this depressing season - crystallized several issues that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley must navigate in the days and weeks ahead.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of ahead
Adverb
  • The 1996 work is part of eight self-portraits Bowie created during a prolific period of painting, all of which were snapped up immediately.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Nobel committee did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment following Rubio’s announcement.
    — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adverb
  • In 2025, its respondents averaged $347,460 in fine-art purchases, up 19% from the year before.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • As the impact of the sanctions kicked in, Huawei's consumer business — once the company's largest by revenue — halved to about $34 billion in 2021 from the year before.
    — Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of before
Adverb
  • And last December, after an already enviable year, Winter became the newest member of this exclusive club.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That means news of the divorce is already becoming semi-public.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of already

Browse Nearby Words

before
beforehand
before long
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beforehand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beforehand. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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