PREVIOUS TO Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

previous to

preposition

Definition of previous to

as in before

earlier than his passport arrived just previous to his trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of previous to Kent, originally from Sutton, graduated from the State Police Academy in 2022 and did not have a disciplinary record previous to this incident, the Herald previously reported. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026 Scott Cooper had offered me a movie previous to Deliver Me from Nowhere. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2025 His six league goals last season represent a modest return, especially after back-to-back double-digit campaigns previous to this. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025 With nine more seasons under his belt as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers previous to that, he's recorded a 102-103-2 overall record. — George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for previous to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous to

Preposition

The team went through several design iterations before arriving at the final configuration, building five prototypes over just eight months.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Founded in 2005 by Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio as St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, a one-day festival in Melbourne, Laneway has the enviable reputation as the place where punters can see the next hot act before everyone else.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

Operating from Ireland and founded in 1999, the company Intrade dominated non-state, public prediction market activity prior to the advent of crypto.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Information about the Eagle Ascend™ Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of prior to

Preposition

Gen Z versus millennials The BofA analysis found that older millennials spent the most on hobbies in the three months to August, spending more than double per consumer than Gen Z, the cohort BofA identified as spending the least.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
In addition to this trendy cherry red, there are more colors to peruse including classic black, soft pale blue, approachable gray, and more.

— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

previously

previous to

prevision

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Style

“Previous to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous%20to. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous to

preposition

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