Synonyms of preceding

preceding 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈsē-diŋ 

as in previous

going before another in time or order

had not eaten since the preceding day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

preceding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of precede

as in predating

to go or come before in time

there are two speeches which will precede yours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• predating
• foregoing
• antedating
• preexisting
• anteceding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• succeeding
• postdating

Synonym Chooser

How is the word preceding distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of preceding are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

Where would antecedent be a reasonable alternative to preceding?

While in some cases nearly identical to preceding, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could anterior be used to replace preceding?

The meanings of anterior and preceding 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

In what contexts can foregoing take the place of preceding?

While the synonyms foregoing and preceding are close in meaning, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of preceding?

In some situations, the words former and preceding are roughly equivalent. However, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

How do previous and prior relate to one another, in the sense of preceding?

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 preceding

Adjective

In those days, the Emirati air force and air defense were much more modest than today, outmatched in quality and quantity by Iran’s air and naval forces built in the preceding decade by the last shah. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 Mar. 2026

As a result, far fewer people were arrested and deported from the border than in the preceding few years. —Albert Sun, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2026

Rather than drive viewers to keep watching, cliffhanger endings can accidentally foreground inaction in the preceding hour. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025

Most of those were seized on Oct. 7, 2023, but others were taken hostage in the preceding decade, and a substantial number are no longer alive. —Jerome Socolovsky, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025

During the preceding month, the platform was profiting off political ads from at least three of the lawmakers who signed the letter: Goldman, Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.). —Aaron Schaffer, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

The accolades, as well as the president's preceding remarks, came exactly two years after the riot, which saw a number of former President Donald Trump's supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort the overturn the 2020 election. —Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 6 Jan. 2023

Lincecum had sneaked by Madison Bumgarner to advance in the preceding round, garnering 51% of the votes. —John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 5 Apr. 2020

Verb

Amazon owner Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos have reportedly invited guests to a Saturday night party preceding Monday’s Met Gala, which the couple is co-chairing. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026

In the preceding weeks, at least 20 of North Carolina’s 115 public school districts canceled Friday classes due to a high number of teachers requesting leave to participate in the protest. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2026

As of 2024, property taxes had risen 15% over the preceding five years, according to data from analytics provider Cotality. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 1 May 2026

The preceding girls game was not nearly as dramatic. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Early risers will have a chance to spot a different planetary grouping in the hours preceding dawn on June 30, as the lunar disk draws close to the southwestern horizon. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026

By mid-October, Oregon State parted ways with deputy athletic director Brent Blaylock, who had served as OSU’s point person on the deal and spent the preceding weeks publicly defending it at the school’s behest. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Come early for coffee, bagels, and conversation preceding the talk. —Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026

In the three years preceding Richard’s death, police were dispatched to the Hollis apartment more than 25 times. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026