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 From their previous work, CERN researchers had assumed that quarks and gluons become deconfined at higher temperatures and densities, suggesting matter would likely behave like a thin gas. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 According to Census data taken between 2019 and 2023, the number of residents of Italian ancestry in Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and the Columbia Waterfront District was down 25 percent over the previous 13 years. — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026 Love Is the Monster sees Villalobos Brenes return to Toronto, where his two previous features also debuted. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Michael had been married to their mother, Leah Stelly, for nine years, until the previous spring. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 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

Unlike the prior era of per-seat billing, there isn’t yet a standard way for financial data companies to charge for access to their data through AI chatbots.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Venezuela’s multitrillion-dollar oil industry has long stagnated under Maduro’s leadership and prior socialist governments.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prior

Adjective

Yoshikazu Tsuno | Afp | Getty Images Japan's startup and initial-public offering scenes may get a boost from a new trading platform that will help unlisted companies raise capital.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The initial offering will include more than 200 titles across popular genres including romance, billionaire romance, fantasy and family drama, with a wide selection of titles available with Indonesian dubbing and subtitles.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, attributes the root cause to sluggish economic growth.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Per the settlement, former director Patty Hector, who was fired by the county's chief executive following a dispute over censorship, will receive $225,000.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 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

The shop’s mascot, a rabbit, is named Lewis, after the original Lewis & Duncan grocery store that once inhabited the building.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Historic Preservation Commission members voted Thursday to approve exterior changes to the mansion’s original design plan as the building, now more than a century old, undergoes restoration and renovation as part of a new residential development.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

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previews

previously

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“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous

adjective

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Phrases Containing previous

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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