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⏰ Earlier or faster 👍 Rather or prefer
sooner

sooner

1 1.0
Happens at an earlier time than expected
  • adverb
  • /ˈsuːnər/
translation icon : más pronto
  • The sooner we finish this project, the sooner we can take a break.

What's the right word sooner rather than waiting.

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Examples

  • I wish I had started my studies sooner to avoid this stress before the exams.

  • What conversation would I not avoid having and would have sooner next time around?

    Matthew Hussey

  • THE SOONER WE GET TO HIM THE BETTER.

    Yogi Bear (2010)

  • WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THAT SOONER?

    Blog text (22)

  • I'M SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED MYSELF SOONER.

    Ground Control (1998)

  • YOU MIGHT BE BACK IN YOUR LOVIN' WIFE'S ARMS SOONER THAN YOU THINK.

    Mad City (1997)

  • I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE SOONER WE GET THESE RELICS IN THE HANDS OF SIR NAYLAND, THE SOONER WE'LL HAVE NEWS OF YOUR FATHER, SHEILA.

    The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)

  • SORRY WE DIDN'T GET HERE SOONER, ROSIE, BUT WE HAD TO MAKE A LITTLE DETOUR AT DOC CARSTAIR'S.

    Lust in the Dust (1985)

  • You should let me know sooner if you need help with your homework.

Synonyms

early
vssooner
∞ 1.0

Before the usual or expected time

expresses quicker timing than what is normal or expected
ahead of time
vssooner
76 2.3

Earlier than planned or expected

emphasizes general prior timing rather than planning details
earlier
vssooner
1 1.0

Happening before something else in time

is a comparative form expressing happening at a prior time
earlyish
vssooner
  • Informal
5.2

A little before the usual time

expresses clearer prior timing or a faster occurrence

Antonyms

later
1.0

Happening after something else in time

Compounds

Sooner State
1 4.8

A nickname for the US state of Oklahoma

How Soon

earliest
1.0
earlier
1 1.0
sooner
1 1.0
soon
∞ 1.0
later
1.0
eventually
∞ 3.0

Surface Forms

sooner positive
sooner comparative
sooner superlative

Morphology

sooner = soon (transparent) = soon + er

A standard comparative formation ('soon' + '-er') yielding the temporal meaning 'earlier', which learners can derive from the base.

Etymology

Sooner comes from soon ('quickly' or 'at once') with the ending -er meaning 'more', so sooner means 'earlier' or 'before'. That's why saying 'call sooner' or 'arrive sooner' means to do it earlier than expected.