ahead 1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈhed How to pronounce ahead (audio)
Definition of aheadnext
1
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time call ahead for reservations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forward
toward a point ahead in space or time sent me ahead to get a place in the check-out line while she went to get the eggs and milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in along
toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time the line moved ahead at a snail's pace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ahead

2 of 2

adjective

as in early

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 ahead
Adverb
Nor did Governor Shin Hyun Song rule out another tap of the brakes in the months ahead. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Crews may benefit from slightly cooler temperatures in the days ahead, Gass said, and wind conditions are expected to remain fairly calm in both areas. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 With no one to rein them in, hardliners are pressing ahead with their campaign against a deal. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Emde wandered ahead while King lagged behind at her usual tempo, which is uncommonly slow but projects incongruous urgency. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The Sox jumped back ahead in the third inning on a Benintendi RBI single. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 The Aces finished the first quarter ahead 27-17, shooting 10 for 20 including 6 of 12 from 3-point range. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, Taunton was struck and now has a long recovery ahead. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 Know More The Jackson Hole conference has brought the world’s most influential voices on economic policy to the heart of Grand Teton National Park for an elite dialogue about the year ahead. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
For a make ahead option, assemble the casserole up to 1 day before baking. — Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 If For All Mankind’s early seasons laid out an optimistic fantasy of what space travel could be, scientific advancement and social progress sweeping ahead hand in hand, Star City posits a much darker vision, and arguably one much more in keeping with our own current national mood. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026 With only seven ingredients (one of which is deli ham) and only 20 minutes of hands-on cooking required, this is our go-to make ahead breakfast that instantly makes mornings a little brighter. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026 Choose your ski resort and go on their website to find buy ahead deals. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026 As for these ahead-of-schedule Spurs? — Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ahead
  1. before
  2. forward
  3. along
  4. early
  5. already
  6. onward
  7. forwards
  8. prior
Adverb
  • Some could be worse than before, while others may not show up at all.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kendrick only found out about the event a day before and was already prepping for the upcoming Jackson Street Block Party in honor of Gary native Michael Jackson’s birthday.
    — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of before
Adverb
  • Researchers have developed a new vision algorithm that lets humanoid robots perceive depth more like humans, using two forward-facing eyes.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • While keeping your knees slightly bent, hinge forward from your hips and lower the band.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of forward
Adverb
  • At the same time, Tempo cruised along, still far off the pace.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • To maintain his grip on power, Trump needs to inspire Latinos to stand by him, vote for his agenda and urge others to follow along.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of along
Adjective
  • Another day, another millennial-nostalgia-baiting sequel to a classic late 1990s or early 2000s movie.
    — Lauren O’Neill, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But shortstop Colson Montgomery provided early offense with a three-run home run as part of a four-run first inning.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of early
Adverb
  • From the moment Billie learns about Sophie-Rose, the teenager who inherited her legendary fake ID after it was already passed down to multiple other Gen-Z blondes, she’s obsessed.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Announced just last week, fans are already in throes of excitement, with scores of late-night launch events lined up internationally.
    — Kyle MacNeill, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • The team’s form picked up spectacularly from December onwards, losing only five of their final 25 Premier League matches.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In practice, the Mughals in India, from the 15th century onward, had a rich tradition of landscaping and building waterfront and palace gardens, modeling themselves after heavenly authority and their cities after the heavenly garden.
    — Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of onward
Adverb
  • Like Kaprizov and a slew of star forwards last season, Hughes and Makar could each be waiting for the other to sign first.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, just because a timeframe hasn't been announced to the public, that doesn't mean there is no internal timeframe that can be brought forwards and backwards as necessary.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of forwards
Adjective
  • Unlike the prior era of per-seat billing, there isn’t yet a standard way for financial data companies to charge for access to their data through AI chatbots.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Venezuela’s multitrillion-dollar oil industry has long stagnated under Maduro’s leadership and prior socialist governments.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of prior

Phrases Containing ahead

Browse Nearby Words

aha
ahead
ahead of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ahead. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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