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 Each payment is 5% larger than the previous one. Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Her late grandmother, the previous CEO, took Morrow off the street as a boy. EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025 This was an increase of over 50% per season on the previous rights deal. Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 These trends were similar in Kentucky as a whole, and the timing aligns with surges of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in previous years. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 30 Aug. 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
  • Companies already in the IPO process would then have 30 days to complete the process under prior rules, Nasdaq said, while all subsequent listings would have to comply with the changes.
    Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In Simpson’s April 2023 indictment, prosecutors cited prior convictions for burglary, robbery and assault as reasons for their pursuing a sentencing enhancement.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Basically, average lows are getting hotter both at night and in the early morning, a trend seen across the country and globe.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Late summer or early fall is the ideal time to divide this spring and summer bloomer.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the initial outcry, Sanders continued jetting himself around the country.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Before The Beatles and before football came the docks, once the beating heart of Liverpool and the catalyst for the city’s initial growth and prosperity.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mace's former fiancé denied the accusations.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The firms of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, hedge fund billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs joined an $863 million fundraise for Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This adaptation demands re-conceiving large chunks of plot from the ground-up while retaining Liu’s themes, not to mention visualizing concepts with less precedent onscreen than the fantasy tropes Martin deployed and subverted.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
  • The sandwiches are named with references to art, such as the Van Gogh made with roast beef, fresh dill, Havarti cheese, sprouts and deli mustard on pumpernickel bread; or the hot Picasso made with savory meatballs, provolone cheese and Mama Cosenza’s original Italian sauce on an 8-inch baguette.
    Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Edd Kimber, the original winner of The Great British Baking Show in 2010, has carved out a career in the food world after his victory.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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