Example : A fashion popular in earlier times.
His earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher.
Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera.

Synonyms : earliest

Example : I had known her before.
As I said before.
He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier.
Her parents had died four years earlier.
I mentioned that problem earlier.

Synonyms : before

Example : Come a little sooner, if you can.
Came earlier than I expected.

Synonyms : sooner

Example : Why didn't you tell me in the first place?.

Synonyms : in the beginning, in the first place, originally, to begin with