previous to

Definition of previous tonext
as in before
earlier than his passport arrived just previous to his trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The actor had lived in the home for some time previous to the renovation, and is seen walking through the bare-bones home sharing stories about each room before the gut job began. Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024 In the four years previous to that Flamengo and Palmeiras dominated South American football winning two titles each. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 The other alleged incident happened previous to the plaintiff’s full-time employment with Ye’s operations, which started in 2021. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024 Pulte lived in Florida previous to his nomination to lead the independent agency, but his family has roots in metro Detroit. Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for previous to
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous to
Preposition
  • Ireland, the Steelers and the Rooney connection The Rooney family, the Steelers’ majority owners, trace their roots to Ireland, where their ancestors emigrated from in the 1840s before eventually settling in Pittsburgh.
    Tom Chitty, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Similarly, footage showing federal agents killing Alex Pretti revealed the ICU nurse was holding a phone in his right hand, and an officer removing a gun from his back waistband before the shooting.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Preposition
  • One day prior to his arrest, a report from The Hollywood Reporter saw employees at several New Orleans businesses claim that LaBeouf had been showing up at various drinking establishments in the city's Uptown neighborhood, on an apparent bar crawl that began on Thursday.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Jim Hill reporting prior to a UCLA Bruins football game on September 12, 2025, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Preposition
  • Know More The administration’s approach to the actual cases never fit the pattern of a new antitrust movement.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • For all its homage to maritime heritage, the rooms themselves do not skimp on contemporary comforts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Previous to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous%20to. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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