PREVIOUS TO Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

previous to

preposition

Definition of previous to

as in before

earlier than his passport arrived just previous to his trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 to Kent, originally from Sutton, graduated from the State Police Academy in 2022 and did not have a disciplinary record previous to this incident, the Herald previously reported. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026 Scott Cooper had offered me a movie previous to Deliver Me from Nowhere. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2025 His six league goals last season represent a modest return, especially after back-to-back double-digit campaigns previous to this. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025 With nine more seasons under his belt as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers previous to that, he's recorded a 102-103-2 overall record. — George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for previous to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous to

Preposition

Assembly Republican Leader Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, did not explicitly say that the governor should hold off on commuting sentences, but urged him to consider the parents who had to bury their children before making the decision.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Those earlier tests helped engineers evaluate the system before moving to a live missile flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

Miami did a relatively fine job in Weeks 2 and 3 against some of the most talented backs in Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Kenneth Walker of the Chiefs but slipped up the two games prior to the bye against the Vikings and Bengals.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Gramm revealed that the two reconciled prior to the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prior to

Preposition

That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The alternate versions certainly add extra bite, and a few outtakes could have made it to the main tracklist.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

previously

previous to

prevision

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Style

“Previous to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous%20to. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous to

preposition

Example Sentences

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