previous

adjective

ˈprē-vē-əs How to pronounce previous (audio)
Definition of previousnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 An outcry five years ago Missouri’s history with Christian boarding schools is why the previous attempts to pass this kind of legislation failed to get any traction. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 The current shutdown reached day 44 on Sunday, surpassing the previous record set late last year. —Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. —Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026 Wade’s lawsuit also pointed to the defendants’ own previous legal actions to protect Swift’s trademarks. —Joe Kottke, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for previous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous
  1. preceding
  2. prior
  3. early
  4. initial
  5. former
  6. precedent
  7. original
Adjective
  • 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
  • Rather than drive viewers to keep watching, cliffhanger endings can accidentally foreground inaction in the preceding hour.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of preceding
Adjective
  • Maxwell, who was making his first start of the season, had pitched just one inning in two prior appearances.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Prosecutors also cited Cortez Johnson's prior probation violations, failures to appear, and past convictions.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of prior
Adjective
  • Created by Nikki Igol and Steven Chaiken, who worked together at the fashion magazine V in the early two-thousands, the place is stocked with vintage issues of Paper, Vogue, and more.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) released its latest forecast for the mosquito season, predicting a slow start before a spike in early July.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • As well as continuing to restore water service to his residence after the initial altercation.
    — Erika Stanish, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of getting a kickstart on redetermination, which would have started in July under the initial bill, redeterminations will begin in 2027.
    — Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Pretti and former Kansas City resident Renée Good were both killed in January.
    — Matthew Kelly April 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Rubio met with the grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro in February.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Even when Disney brought back Ortega for their Descendants franchise in 2015 — a film about the children of Disney villains — IP took precedent time and time again above the story.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of precedent
Adjective
  • Throughout the property, the original building's bones— beams, tiles, pillars, and window frames—were gently restored to show their age and patina, not conceal it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Judge Barrett, who handed down the original sentence, will likely be the one to do it.
    — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of original

Phrases Containing previous

Browse Nearby Words

previews
previous
previously
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Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of previous for Spanish Speakers

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