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

Get a bottle of wine from the Kinderhook Bottle Shop to enjoy on the inn porch before dinner at the Mediterranean small-plate restaurant Isola (which even offers a discount for guests of the inn).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Local authorities carried out regular inspections before granting the occupancy permit.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

The whole group has to pick someone to go away for a bit, prior to choosing tribes.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Shortly prior to their wedding, Cameron and the rocker appeared in Vogue Italia and discussed their quiet life together behind the scenes.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of prior to

Preposition

The State Department issued a caution warning to Americans in the Middle East on Saturday night after Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a ballistic missile at an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026
On Friday, another militia group aligned with Iran – this one based in Iraq – launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s vital East-West oil pipeline to the coast, forcing its closure.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous to

preposition

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