Before and Later

Opposite meaning words

Before adverb - So as to precede something in order of time.

Usage example: their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before

Show all Definitions

Later is an antonym for before in topics: previously, then, earlier, earlier than.

Later adverb - Following in time or place.

Usage example: we're going to go to the mall later on

Show all Definitions

Before is an antonym for later in topics: happening after, coming after.

Those two last items never appeared before or later.

Source: Western Animation / Baby Looney Tunes
Later he goes to prison then comes back and becomes King of the Shinigami before time-travelling to France to kill Near to stop a time paradox.

Source: Fan Fic / Light and Dark The Adventures of Dark Yagami
This explains how Ganondorf keeps on coming back in later games, since Skyward Sword takes place before all the the other games including Ocarina of Time.

Source: When It All Began

Cite this Source

Later and Before. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/later

Before & Later. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/later>.

Later or Before. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/later.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "before" and "later" have occurred on timeline