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 But after missing the previous six quarters of the series due to a foot issue, Westbrook lit up the Clippers for 21 points off the bench on 8-of-15 shooting. Law Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Don’t Chelsea and the Premier League have previous on associated party transactions? Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025 But Matt Lyons, CPS’ chief talent officer from 2015 to 2021, who oversaw similar discipline conversations with previous boards, said the decision to reinstate the cook seemed unusual. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025 With the same driving routine in previous years on different vehicles, one Chevy and one Mercedes, Hinton only drove around 6,086 miles, suggesting a 117% increase with the Tesla. Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for previous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous
Adjective
  • 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
  • During the preceding month, the platform was profiting off political ads from at least three of the lawmakers who signed the letter: Goldman, Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.).
    Aaron Schaffer, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023
Adjective
  • In early 2024, for example, Alabama workers received an average benefit of $252 a week, replacing 29% of their prior wage on average, while workers in Washington state got an average $721 a week, or 49% of their previous pay.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In his prior four seasons with the Mets, Lindor had hit .218 with a .697 OPS before May 1.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tiger, who played college football at Princeton, was one of the 14 victims killed in the early hours of New Year's Day on Bourbon Street.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • As German immigrants came to the U.S., pretzels became a staple here in the early 1700s.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As with the coal black tree snake, the atra tree snake has thus far only been found on its initial island of discovery, Misima.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This experiment also found low genetic diversity and high inbreeding among corpse flowers in institutions, confirming the initial findings.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Under former President Joe Biden, monthly student loan bills resumed in the fall of 2023 after a years-long break.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Experts estimate that tens of thousands of land mines remain buried across Syria, particularly in former front-line regions like rural Idlib.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 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
  • Because of scheduling conflicts, McDermott and Hopkins replaced original actors Brady Noon and Jensen Ackles in major roles.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • The first two LPs feature the original record, while the remaining LPs collect a number of B-sides and rarities, alongside their 2004 BBC Radio 1 John Peel session, and seven demo recordings.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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