early on

adverb

: at or during an early point or stage
The reasons were obvious early on in the experiment.

Examples of early on 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.
Raman hit Bass early on in the debate, saying the mayor negotiated an expensive package of police raises that the city couldn’t afford. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Drugs became a central part of their relationship, and early on, Watts brought McCollough to a practitioner for an intramuscular ketamine injection. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 The burglary happened early on June 2 at Hushcha’s studio in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Guarding Collier Playing her 10th game of the season since returning from a severe left ankle injury, Collier looked all the way back early on. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early on

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of early on was in 1759

Rhymes for early on

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Browse Nearby Words

early meadow rue
early on
early saxifrage
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Cite this Entry

“Early on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/early%20on. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

early on

adverb
: at or during an early point or stage
had decided early on not to accept
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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