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 Looking at the past, Ghent will host a wide-spanning retrospective on the work of renowned British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg, curated by former program director Patrick Duynslaegher. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Now that Intel has lost its status as the top destination for the brightest minds in engineering, some former workers think recruiting for Intel’s next act will be difficult. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 Eric Johnson joins as Ana's creepy new boss, Jack Hyde; Bella Heathcote plays Leila Williams, a former submissive of Christian's; and Bruce Altman appears as SIP president Jerry Roach. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 It is constructed on the site of a former PNC Bank. Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
Adjective
  • Worried that Dessalines’s enemies might eventually force upon him the same fate suffered by his erstwhile friend and ally, Christophe refused to be sworn into office.
    Marlene L. Daut September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Being able to generate code was finally getting a chance to shine in the bright lights of another erstwhile reason to use generative AI and LLMs.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Thibodeau, both with the Knicks and his previous teams, was notorious for riding his starters into the ground.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In previous shutdowns, many federal workers were furloughed without mass firings.
    Jamie Tarabay, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • People only 21 years or older are allowed to shop at Canna Bloom.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette maintains full editorial control over this article and all other coverage.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the fall equinox and has several other names.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on former

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!