Definition of previousnext

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 At least 17 nurses in the same unit at one Ohio hospital are all expecting babies this year, breaking a previous record set by the staff at Dayton's Miami Valley Hospital. Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 29 June 2026 This was the record-leading 28th launch of the first-stage booster, which flew the Crew-3 and Crew-4 missions among 27 previous. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Despite previous reports of Kane being content at Bayern until his 2027 contract, Barcelona could capitalize on his impending final year. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Public Health France said there were more than 1,200 deaths last Wednesday, when France registered its hottest-ever day, breaking a record that had been set just the previous day. John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 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
Adjective
  • Five of the men face up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000, prosecutors said, while Castorena faces up to six years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000 due to a prior strike offense.
    Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Skydive Kansas City reported no prior concerns with the pilot, investigators said, calling him safety-oriented and conservative with his decision making as a jump pilot.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • All that to say, a glass of rye whiskey, one of the oldest drinks in America and the original base of many of our earliest cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, is an easy way to honor the scrappy American spirit.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Heck, the city almost lost out on Messi altogether, with Argentina barely escaping Cape Verde in an early knockout match Friday night.
    Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association members have broadened to include NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in the initial tournament in 1930.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Johnston, Cobbins leaving Johnston’s departure comes just three years after becoming the long-term replacement for former County Administrator Doug Bach, who left the government under an $800,000 separation agreement.
    Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The backstory Educator, journalist, and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland—best known to the world as the creator of the American Girl line of dolls—graduated from Wells College, a former school in town, in 1962.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
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
Adjective
  • All that to say, a glass of rye whiskey, one of the oldest drinks in America and the original base of many of our earliest cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, is an easy way to honor the scrappy American spirit.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Here, the material can be charged earlier by light or another energy source, stored in the dark, and then used later to power a chemical reaction after the original energy input has been expended.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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