Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

antecedent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of antecedent

going before another in time or order
  • I'd like to follow up on an antecedent question from another reporter
Synonyms of antecedent

anterior, foregoing, former, precedent, preceding, previous, prior
Words Related to antecedent

advance, early, premature

earliest, first, inaugural, initial, maiden, original, pioneer

preexisting

introductory, preliminary

erstwhile, whilom
Near Antonyms of antecedent

advanced, late

closing, concluding, final, last, latest, latter, terminal, ultimate
Antonyms of antecedent

after, ensuing, following, later, posterior, subsequent, succeeding

Synonym Discussion of antecedent

preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.
    • the preceding sentence
antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.
    • conditions antecedent to the revolution
foregoing applies chiefly to statements.
    • the foregoing remarks
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
former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.
    • the former name of the company
anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.
    • the anterior lobe of the brain

antecedent

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of antecedent

1 someone or something responsible for a result
  • what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?
Synonyms of antecedent

causality, causation, cause, occasion, reason
Words Related to antecedent

consideration, determinant, factor

alpha and omega, be-all and end-all

impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus

mother, origin, root, source, spring
Near Antonyms of antecedent

ramification

denouement (also dénouement), repercussion

conclusion, end

by-product, side effect (also side reaction)
Antonyms of antecedent

aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot
2 something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
  • the typewriter is the antecedent of the computer keyboard
Synonyms of antecedent

ancestor, archetype, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy (also grandaddy), precursor, predecessor, prototype
Words Related to antecedent

model, original

originator, sire

father, mother
Near Antonyms of antecedent

by-product, derivative, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off

daughter, son
Antonyms of antecedent

descendant (also descendent)

Learn More about antecedent

  1. Dictionary: Definition of antecedent Spanish Central: Translation of antecedent Nglish: Translation of antecedent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of antecedent for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antecedent

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up antecedent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

recidivism

Listen to the pronounciation of recidivism

a tendency to relapse

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. auspice Trump comments on North Korea rumors

  2. folderol Rees-Mogg dismisses Brexit changes

  3. reticent Mueller's team hesitant to testify

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games