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sooner

sooner

939 1.0
Happens at an earlier time than expected
  • adverb
  • /ˈsuːnər/
: 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
earlier
vssooner
401 1.0

Happening before something else in time

is a comparative form expressing happening at a prior time
ahead of time
vssooner
82 2.3

Earlier than planned or expected

emphasizes general prior timing rather than planning details
earlyish
vssooner
  • Informal
1 5.2

A little before the usual time

expresses clearer prior timing or a faster occurrence

Antonyms

later
321 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
32 1.0
earlier
401 1.0
sooner
939 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.