ANTERIOR Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'anterior' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of anterior are antecedent , foregoing , former , preceding , previous , and prior . While all these words mean "being before," 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 'antecedent' be a better fit than 'anterior'?

The synonyms antecedent and anterior are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation. // conditions antecedent to the revolution

Q: When could 'foregoing' be used to replace 'anterior'?

The words foregoing and anterior are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing applies chiefly to statements. // the foregoing remarks

Q: When can 'former' be used instead of 'anterior'?

The meanings of former and anterior largely overlap; however, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter. // the former name of the company

Q: In what contexts can 'preceding' take the place of 'anterior'?

While in some cases nearly identical to anterior , preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place. // the preceding sentence

Q: How do 'previous' and 'prior' relate to one another, in the sense of 'anterior'?

Both 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

adjective

an-ˈtir-ē-ər

Definition of anterior

as in front

being at or in the forward part or surface of something the anterior chamber of the eye is bounded in front by the cornea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in previous

going before another in time or order fossils from an anterior geologic age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anterior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of anterior are antecedent, foregoing, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might antecedent be a better fit than anterior?

The synonyms antecedent and anterior are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could foregoing be used to replace anterior?

The words foregoing and anterior are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When can former be used instead of anterior?

The meanings of former and anterior largely overlap; however, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

In what contexts can preceding take the place of anterior?

While in some cases nearly identical to anterior, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How do previous and prior relate to one another, in the sense of anterior?

Both 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

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 anterior Si eres nuevo en las Lecciones Bíblicas semanales del Cuaderno Trimestral de la Ciencia Cristiana, puedes ver aquí una muestra gratuita de una lección bíblica de la semana anterior. — Kit Cornell Kurtz, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026 March has made 12 league appearances over the best part of three seasons because of two anterior cruciate knee ligament injuries (ACL). — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 May 2026 One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 To test this hypothesis, the researchers recruited seven people who were scheduled for an anterior temporal lobectomy, a type of surgery in which pieces of brain tissue are removed in order to treat severe epilepsy. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for anterior

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anterior

Adjective

As the positional map below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable anywhere across the front three.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Conditions may get a bit better by Thursday as a front moves in, the weather service said.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of front

Adjective

The match against Rybakina will be her first at the WTA Tour level, having lost in the qualifying round earlier this year in Miami in her previous attempt.

— Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Burn scars on the landscape from previous wildfires can also rapidly funnel water into dangerous downslope torrents.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of previous

Adjective

The amount of rain the region gets Friday will depend on whether the frontal boundary stalls during the second half of the day, forecasters say.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
There may be a few showers along that frontal boundary, mainly south of Philadelphia, in the afternoon.

— Bill Kelly, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of frontal

Browse Nearby Words

antenatal

anteriorly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anterior. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of anterior

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

recalcitrant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes