PREVIOUS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

ˈprē-vē-əs

Definition of previous

as in preceding

going before another in time or order the new instructor should consult with the previous teacher about the lesson plans the previous math problem also included a reference to store discounts

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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 Lion cubs are similar to domestic kittens at birth, in that they're born blind and their eyes open within about a week or two, the zoo said in a previous press release. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The three-song detour became one of the night’s highlights — proof that Mumford & Sons could command the room after stripping away virtually everything they’d spent the previous hour using to dazzle it. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026 Video of a previous confrontation between Obumseli and Clenney months before his death was shown in court, and evidence released since Clenney's arrest painted a troubling relationship between the two. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 The man and woman, both 32 years old, had been seeking medical help at her clinic to have a baby for the previous five years. — Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for previous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous

Adjective

In those days, the Emirati air force and air defense were much more modest than today, outmatched in quality and quantity by Iran’s air and naval forces built in the preceding decade by the last shah.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 Mar. 2026
As a result, far fewer people were arrested and deported from the border than in the preceding few years.

— Albert Sun, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2026

Definition of preceding

Adjective

Stassi Anastassov, former Duracell CEO, has taken the helm at Ferretti Group following a contentious boardroom battle, despite his lack of prior yachting experience.

— Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In addition to the weak numbers for June and July, the final count for May was revised down to 63,000, or 66,000 lower than the prior estimate.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of prior

Adjective

Winds in the early afternoon Saturday will last for several hours.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandson were killed after multiple Russian drones destroyed their home in the Brovary district of Kyiv region, northeast of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early Saturday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of early

Adjective

This follows an initial €46 million bid also being turned down, despite Rodri agreeing to join the Catalans.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
An initial compensation of 1 million baht (about $30,166) has been approved for six of the deceased victims, the statement said.

— Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

She’s hired a former Georgia Supreme Court chief justice as a special prosecutor to get the state’s appellate courts to weigh in.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Among the players involved in the Georgia case are former Clemson and Georgia forward RJ Godfrey, former UCF forward Jamichael Stillwell and former Georgia Tech guard Lamar Washington.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of former

Adjective

Their protections may have been further eroded with a precedent decision recently in which the Board of Immigration Appeals determined that DACA status alone is not enough to stop deportation.

— Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
These tools can generate a first-draft NDA within seconds by drawing on vast training libraries of precedent agreements and current market standards.

— AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of precedent

Adjective

One stores and processes incoming charge, while another traps electrons to control how quickly the device returns to its original state.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
Many of the original features have been preserved, including two magnificent fireplaces with bread ovens.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

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previously

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“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Cite this Entry

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