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 House and Senate will be out of session during October and before the elections, and the dynamics could significantly shift if Democrats win back the majorities of the House or Senate, or both, in November.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
The House is embarking on its last days in session before breaking for the midterms, with a final vote expected Wednesday on a bill ratcheting up penalties on Russia.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

Current and former employees said Allen is largely an absentee leader who is combative and who put his workers in harm’s way by not acting sooner to address building concerns prior to a roof collapse last year.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
During the episode, Stiles revealed that Parton had cleared the use of the song prior to her death in August.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of prior to

Preposition

Salvador Perez hit a bases-clearing double to draw the Royals to within 5-4, but the tying run was stranded at third.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor had to gather his emotions because the hardest part of Saturday’s last-second loss to Michigan was still to come.

— Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 8 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous to

preposition

Example Sentences

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