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 Investigators continue to comb through previous jail phone recordings and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees at the jail could face additional charges for their role assisting in theMay 16 escape and initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, according to the source. Ryan Young, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 Watkins, the previous appointment for the Center Township board seat, recalls the thorough interview process of Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper and his interview team. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025 Both cumbersome and downbeat, Final Reckoning raises the global stakes but suffers from pitting Ethan and the gang against a faceless, personality-free foe, an AI villain named the Entity introduced in the previous film. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2025 The Heat, by making the playoffs, wound up at No. 15 in the draft order, with that selection now belonging to the Oklahoma City Thunder, to complete a previous trade obligation. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 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
  • Skyrocketing prices might not be top of mind for many consumers this spring, especially in light of significantly lower gas prices at the pump in early May.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Deadline is aware of at least two other accidents on Irlam’s watch that predate Michaels’ injury, including a similar incident on an earlier season of Game of Thrones.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 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
  • Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci showed up for Lively at her movie premiere in April, and Lively was spotted out with former costar Salma Hayek in May.
    Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 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 27 May. 2025.

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