Synonym Chooser

How is the word previous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of previous are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," 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

Where would antecedent be a reasonable alternative to previous?

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

conditions antecedent to the revolution

In what contexts can anterior take the place of previous?

While the synonyms anterior and previous are close in meaning, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might foregoing be a better fit than previous?

In some situations, the words foregoing and previous are roughly equivalent. However, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of previous?

Although the words former and previous have much in common, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When can preceding be used instead of previous?

The meanings of preceding and previous largely overlap; however, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

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 previous Camilla Viola Palm, the study's lead author, explained that while previous research often relied on questionnaires to gauge child activity, this study's use of objective movement tracking makes its findings especially compelling. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 The email continues: Unfortunately, the previous owner did not disclose that thousands of Lifetime Deals (LTDs) had been sold through platforms like StackSocial. ArsTechnica, 12 May 2025 The panic nearly erased all the gains of the previous three years of Trump's administration. Jim Sergent, USA Today, 1 May 2025 It's powered by the extremely fast S9 chip and boasts a brighter OLED display than previous models with the addition of new features, like the handy double-tap gesture. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for previous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous
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
Adjective
  • Reuters/Ipsos poll 44% approve 52% disapprove The survey, released May 13, showed 44% of respondents approved of the president's performance, up from 42% in a prior Reuters/Ipsos survey carried out April 25-27.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The format of the tournament back then was also vastly different, with the prior year’s champions being granted automatic entry into the next year’s finals, a format which would be abandoned by 1874.
    Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • From the global film industry, the early reaction is a predictable mix of dread and total confusion.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • Domingo, one of the earliest VIP arrivals at the party, was showing off his style on the lane, ball in hand, as the lively room continued to fill up.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • But in the wake of his Golden State Warriors being eliminated from the playoffs, Butler offered a different spin Thursday to his initial run alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Douglas Brick, a former student at the University of Utah, disappeared on Oct. 12, 1973, according to information from police and the school in Salt Lake City.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Marva Johnson, a lobbyist and executive for the telecom company Charter Communications and a former member of the state Board of Education, has been named one of the four finalists to be the next president of Florida A&M University.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Take note of the major differences between your original job description and your current daily responsibilities.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • The original plan for the company had been to call it Freeman Broadcasting with me as chief executive.
    Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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