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 In fact, in the previous year, Lilanz China had already implemented a DTC model for the principal Lilanz series in the northeast region and Jiangsu Province. Li Jun, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2025 Again, real wages down 15 years in a row under the previous policy, and that's why Americans voted for him. ABC News, 6 Apr. 2025 Last week, the Senate — with the help of four Republicans (Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski) — voted to terminate Trump’s previous national emergency declaration on fentanyl trafficking, the legal pretext for imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025 The findings show that these sharks are spending time in waters less than 50 meters (164 feet) deep off Maine, with peak sightings occurring between July and September; this aligns with previous observations of white sharks using similar habitats in other regions. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Mar. 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
  • When prior expectations were laid out in March, imports were expected to increase 2.8 percent to reach 2.14 million TEUs.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their story: While many fans were devastated to see James struggle with speed dating, his connection with Shelley Hassell has more than made up for his lack of prior matches.
    Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The agency is also offering early retirement to employees who are at least 50 years old with 20 years of federal service, or any age with 25 years of federal service, according to the email.
    Leah Douglas, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Officials said approximately 10,000 jobs will be cut through layoffs, with an additional 10,000 positions eliminated via early retirements and voluntary separations.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His remarks came as markets began to stabilize following initial uncertainty about the administration's trade tactics.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Clark made the initial comments in her interview in December with Time Magazine and refreshed those remarks in her interview with comedian David Letterman.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Torossian served as former Council President Paul Krekorian’s chief of staff before joining Councilmember Adrin Nazarian’s staff.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Previously, the administration of former Mayor Jerome Prince endorsed a controversial plan for Fulcrum BioEnergy to build a waste-to-energy plant on the site.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This adaptation demands re-conceiving large chunks of plot from the ground-up while retaining Liu’s themes, not to mention visualizing concepts with less precedent onscreen than the fantasy tropes Martin deployed and subverted.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
  • Wherever the original source of the incorrect headline came from, it was amplified by trusted sources in financial news, creating a very expensive lesson in the value of accurate and reliable reporting.
    Hadas Gold and Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Michael Bay made his feature directorial debut with the original Bad Boys after a number of years spent directing music videos.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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