at the earliest
idiom
—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done
The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.
Examples of at the earliest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Any official changes to state law would come next year during Wyoming’s legislative session, at the earliest.
—
Caitlin Tan, NPR, 1 June 2024
Beatrix’s pastry counter also opens as early as 7 a.m. and the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. at the earliest.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2024
But construction on the 16-bed facility won’t start until spring 2025 at the earliest.
—Isabelle Taft, ProPublica, 28 May 2024
The case is unlikely to start until the fall at the earliest, NPR's Greg Allen says.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 22 May 2024
That suggests that the Fed wouldn’t likely consider rate cuts until September at the earliest.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 22 May 2024
Though no permanent change has been decided, judges are reviewing proposals made by the Bar Council, and a decision is expected this fall at the earliest, the Telegraph reported.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 19 May 2024
Rhythm guitarist Micah Nelson — country legend Willie’s 33-year-old son, who is new to this band but has been playing with Young for a decade — did his best to hold it together, but Young was cutting songs off at the earliest opportunity, where in the past he’d often just be getting started.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 May 2024
Hall is currently serving a 45-year sentence in Texas, and is not eligible for release until 2031 at the earliest, according to online prison records.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024
Caitlin Tan, NPR, 1 June 2024
Beatrix’s pastry counter also opens as early as 7 a.m. and the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. at the earliest.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2024
But construction on the 16-bed facility won’t start until spring 2025 at the earliest.
—Isabelle Taft, ProPublica, 28 May 2024
The case is unlikely to start until the fall at the earliest, NPR's Greg Allen says.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 22 May 2024
That suggests that the Fed wouldn’t likely consider rate cuts until September at the earliest.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 22 May 2024
Though no permanent change has been decided, judges are reviewing proposals made by the Bar Council, and a decision is expected this fall at the earliest, the Telegraph reported.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 19 May 2024
Rhythm guitarist Micah Nelson — country legend Willie’s 33-year-old son, who is new to this band but has been playing with Young for a decade — did his best to hold it together, but Young was cutting songs off at the earliest opportunity, where in the past he’d often just be getting started.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 May 2024
Hall is currently serving a 45-year sentence in Texas, and is not eligible for release until 2031 at the earliest, according to online prison records.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the earliest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at the earliest
Cite this Entry
“At the earliest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20earliest. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
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