Synonym Chooser

How is the word former distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of former are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When would antecedent be a good substitute for former?

The synonyms antecedent and former are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could anterior be used to replace former?

The meanings of anterior and former largely overlap; however, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When is foregoing a more appropriate choice than former?

The words foregoing and former are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When can preceding be used instead of former?

While the synonyms preceding and former are close in meaning, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How do previous and prior relate to one another, in the sense of former?

Both previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

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 former Rachel Zegler is starring in one of London’s hottest West End productions right now, as former first lady of Argentina Eva Perón, in Evita. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025 California politics: In the June 18 Section A, a column about U.S. senators running for governor said former California Gov. George Deukmejian was term limited. Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 The second of two debates includes Andrew Cuomo, the disgraced former governor and mayoral front-runner, who will appear side by side with Zohran Mamdani, the thirty-three-year-old democratic-socialist assemblyman who has solidified his hold on second place in the polls. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 James Young, 53, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent in Los Angeles, faces up to 29 years in prison after prosecutors amended a criminal complaint to include several counts like assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon and causing a hit-and-run accident. Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
Adjective
  • Even without his erstwhile power-pitching ability, Kimbrel hopes to compensate with experience.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • As the group’s drummer and erstwhile bassist when Rastegar was unavailable, Wood came into permanent possession of the second chair.
    Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • July 2023 Thankfully, Rice has performed much better than Arsenal’s previous record signing, Nicolas Pepe, a winger who cost them £72million in summer 2019.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • And Thomas — who was drafted by the previous regime — is still the only blue-chip O-lineman on the roster.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sculpting a modern tale about a porcelain company that’s 250 years old has a lot to do with understanding how younger generations come together, dine and entertain.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
  • International students make up about 27% of the student body at the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • As Spiranac and other golf influencers have taken a different approach to growing the game, the Swedish golf legend was all for it.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
  • In true telenovela fashion, Karol and Anahí are in love with the same man — who is revealed via photo to be a long-haired Ricky Martin from the ‘90s — and later confront each other in a heated fight.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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