preceding 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 preceding
Adjective
In the preceding month, Gamestop also closed its NFT marketplace, just months after removing support for its NFT wallet. Nicholas Kitonyi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 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 Annual inflation has been just 1.8% on average, down from about 3.5% during the preceding 20 years and 4.5% in the two decades before that. The Economist, 13 Feb. 2020 But the train whirred, caught and deposited us at the preceding station. Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2020 And/or the headings are continuations of the last sentence of the preceding section: But first, before Franz got back, THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG came round. Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2019
Verb
Lemmon is constantly shifting against the background stars beyond and is best viewed in the hours preceding dawn for those in the northern hemisphere. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025 But when the 2021 New York City mayoral election came along, DSA didn't endorse a candidate, despite the fact that the organization had amassed a large canvassing infrastructure in the years preceding it. Halle Troadec, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025 The preceding weekend, the first frame of summer, has 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 opening as well as Warner Bros/Legendary’s live-action/animation title Animal Friends starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 Flacco, however, is an experienced player whom the Packers spoke highly of preceding the game. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 Neogy left not during Amin’s Asian expulsion but earlier, after running afoul of the preceding regime, President Milton Obote’s. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Saturday that Israeli strikes killed at least 66 people and injured over 250 in the preceding 24 hours. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2025 Young adults between the ages of 20 and 44 (42%) and patients arriving from recreational activities (52% of the relatively few cases with a preceding activity listed) were most frequently seen in emergency rooms. Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025 Deals from the preceding week are typically low in stock and sometimes nonexistent. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preceding
Adjective
  • The squad were close to previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo and have been coming to terms with his departure.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The donation is twice the size of Scott’s previous donation to the same organization in 2021 and represents 20% of the organization’s fundraising so far.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There has been a rise in anti-Jewish hostility in Britain, predating the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that started two years ago, according to community groups and the people suffering the firsthand effects in the United Kingdom.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Next Generation is divisive among fans but has aged strangely well, predating the legacy sequel craze by decades (Marilyn Burns’ Sally briefly returns).
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Among Gen Z, some are foregoing college, and its skyrocketing costs, in favor of blue-collar jobs.
    Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Like the Chinese government and most of its people, the movie evades mentions of the mass casualties after the pandemic restrictions were removed, therefore foregoing an opportunity to reflect on whether the deaths were preventable and what lessons might be learned.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Preceding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preceding. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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