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

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 anterior 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 The anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, is a part of the brain involved in higher-level thinking and emotional processing. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 When the deep stabilizing muscles of the shoulder, such as the lower trapezius, serratus anterior and rotator cuff, aren’t firing properly, larger muscles such as the upper trapezius (located at the side of the neck and top of the back) and pectoralis major (upper chest) tend to take over. Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anterior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anterior
Adjective
  • Past the tiny front gate, the space reveals its captivatingly decadent allure.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
  • The Juneteenth walk took participants through Central Park to the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum for the opportunity to add their handprints to a community art project created in the outside front courtyard.
    Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 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
  • Around this time, Cambodia took to the ICJ again to interpret its earlier 1962 ruling, and the court affirmed its previous decision two years later.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Over four seasons of The Righteous Gemstones, viewers could rely on certain things: male full frontal, jokes about ass play, a moment of physical comedy from Edi Patterson’s petulant and petty Judy Gemstone that might cause your face to break from laughter.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025
  • Or consider the sizable percentage of death row prisoners with histories of traumatic brain injury to their frontal cortex.
    Jessica Riskin, The New York Review of Books, 3 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anterior. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anterior

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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