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antecedent

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word antecedent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of antecedent are anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When can anterior be used instead of antecedent?

While the synonyms anterior and antecedent are close in meaning, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

In what contexts can foregoing take the place of antecedent?

The words foregoing and antecedent can be used in similar contexts, but foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

Where would former be a reasonable alternative to antecedent?

The words former and antecedent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When might preceding be a better fit than antecedent?

The synonyms preceding and antecedent are sometimes interchangeable, but preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How are the words previous and prior related as synonyms of antecedent?

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 antecedent
Adjective
Responsible purchasing is antecedent to fair and equitable decarbonization in the supply chain. Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024 Relaxed high-altitude winds, the spreading of air aloft and the presence of an antecedent tropical wave all made for the formation of a hurricane — but record-warm water temperatures, reminiscent of September, helped transform the storm into a top-tier tempest. Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Noun
Polish-born and Paris-based, Piotr Kamler is an experimental animator whose work explores temporal distortions and spatial paradoxes, conjuring here a slow-creeping sense of entrapment intensified by an unnerving soundscape—a clear antecedent to Barker’s nightmarish visions. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025 European hard-right parties, some with fascist antecedents, hope to capitalize on Mr. Trump’s unrelenting presence and emulate his victory. Roger Cohen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedent
Adjective
  • Representatives for Bardot did not respond to PEOPLE's previous request for a comment on the actress's condition.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Scholtes rejected a second-degree murder plea deal in March 2025 that would have resulted in a sentence of 10 to 25 years, according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An official cause of death has not yet been released.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • All the iconography and romanticism around the patriots’ noble cause can mask the contradictions of the era.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The investor and industrialist Andrew Mellon enjoyed a lengthy tenure as Treasury secretary—a forerunner to Trump’s Treasury appointees, Steven Mnuchin and Scott Bessent, both of them recruited straight from Wall Street.
    Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Half of those tested had osteoporosis or a forerunner condition, osteopenia.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One theory points to Buddhist monks, who would light lanterns on the 15th day of the holiday to honor Buddha—an act that evolved into a way for families to pay tribute to ancestors.
    Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
  • First Alert 4 reported that this counterfeit note was marked as ancestor money, a symbolic bill burned as a ritual offering in Chinese culture.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • It is then converted into acetic acid, a key methane precursor.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And so the conflict between love, on one side, and faith, family, and tradition reignites, in a season that retraces the arc of its predecessor—and especially its finale—a bit too closely.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • One of his predecessors, Max Allegri, used to say there are categories of coaches.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antecedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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