Synonyms of anterior

anterior

adjective

an-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

as in front

being at or in the forward part or surface of something

the anterior chamber of the eye is bounded in front by the cornea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• front
• frontal
• ventral
• fore
• frontwards
• frontward
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• posterior
• rear
• hind
• hinder
• dorsal
• after
• aft
• rearward
• hindmost

2

as in previous

going before another in time or order

fossils from an anterior geologic age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• previous
• preceding
• earliest
• early
• former
• prior
• antecedent
• precedent
• initial
• original
• foregoing
• premature
• first
• advance
• introductory
• preexisting
• preliminary
• pioneer
• inaugural
• erstwhile
• maiden
• whilom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• posterior
• subsequent
• following
• later
• succeeding
• ensuing
• after
• late
• advanced
• last
• latter
• final
• terminal
• latest
• ultimate
• concluding
• closing

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anterior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of anterior are antecedent, foregoing, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might antecedent be a better fit than anterior?

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

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could foregoing be used to replace anterior?

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

the foregoing remarks

When can former be used instead of anterior?

The meanings of former and anterior largely overlap; however, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

In what contexts can preceding take the place of anterior?

While in some cases nearly identical to anterior, 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 anterior?

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

Recent Examples of anterior

Bringing mice to an enclosure and zapping their feet with tiny electric shocks, then bringing the mice back to the enclosure without zapping their feet, the researchers revealed which neurons are activated in the anterior basolateral amygdala (aBLA) when a mouse learns and unlearns a fear. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

Lacking muscle One possibility here is that wnt signaling is widely active in the posterior of the embryo at this point, blocking formation of anterior structures. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025

The unique traits of Dickinsonia include its bilaterally symmetric, oval shape with a pronounced anterior–posterior axis. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

The researchers pinpointed this activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, regions responsible for value judgments and reward prediction. —Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025