PREVIOUS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

ˈprē-vē-əs

Definition of previous

as in preceding

going before another in time or order the new instructor should consult with the previous teacher about the lesson plans the previous math problem also included a reference to store discounts

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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 According to Monday's news release, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office has taken previous legal action against the Econo Lodge. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 14 July 2026 The number 66 in previous versions was based on an earlier story that had not been updated. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 Building on previous results Located near Central Butte, the Lawson project is Canada’s first subsurface natural hydrogen discovery. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026 Flanagan’s fresh vision for these iconic characters couldn’t be more different than previous depictions. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for previous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous

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

Definition of preceding

Adjective

Yet Trump’s allegations contradict prior intelligence assessments that China did not try to interfere with the 2020 election.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Part of the issue was Disney’s decision to release the show, which had been completed since around 2024, all at once, dumping 22 episodes onto the platform with limited prior advertising.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Definition of prior

Adjective

In a statement, historic preservation group Historic KC said the building once served as the headquarters of the Western Newspaper Union, whose services supplied thousands of weekly newspapers through the country in the early 1900s.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
The final plan, announced Thursday, includes early voting sites at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, Afton Ridge Library, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Kannapolis campus, and Cabarrus County EMS Headquarters.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Definition of early

Adjective

The initial proof of principle by the Normal team served as an inspiration for Whitelam, who recently reported a simulation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic computing circuit.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
The initial broadcast sparked protests and complaints from viewers, advertisers, and conservative activists, leading some CBS affiliates to exclude the episode from their lineup of reruns the following summer.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

Henderson, who was identified by witnesses as a former employee of the restaurant, is accused of serving as Child’s getaway driver, using a maroon pickup that was recently reported stolen in Canyon County, police said.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
Another Republican gubernatorial candidate, former House Speaker Paul Renner, vowed to call a special session to halt approval of hyperscale data centers.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of former

Adjective

Their protections may have been further eroded with a precedent decision recently in which the Board of Immigration Appeals determined that DACA status alone is not enough to stop deportation.

— Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
These tools can generate a first-draft NDA within seconds by drawing on vast training libraries of precedent agreements and current market standards.

— AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of precedent

Adjective

While Nielsen’s streaming rankings for the week of July 6 to 12 won’t be available for another month or so, early data from the measurement company puts The Five Star Weekend among the Top 5 original streaming series in that timeframe.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026
The original case dates back to the early hours of May 8, 1981, when Sebold, then a Syracuse University freshman, was brutally raped in a park near campus.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Definition of original

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previously

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“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Cite this Entry

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