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

Relevance

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 Yes, Nintendo still sells previous Switch models including the $200 Switch Lite, $300 standard Switch and $350 Switch OLED. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 5 June 2025 Tracking data for the vessel showed the ship heading southwest before doubling back to its previous position. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 Unlike the previous regime, Glenn is handling practices much like many college football coaches do. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025 Maurice felt bad for Nosek over his costly mistake, noting his line had been instrumental in the previous series win over Toronto. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 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
  • In the preceding month, Gamestop also closed its NFT marketplace, just months after removing support for its NFT wallet.
    — Nicholas Kitonyi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of preceding
Adjective
  • Loving also acknowledges that there had been conflicts between prior clerk-treasurers and the council.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • The system suffered prior explosions in January and March.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 28 May 2025
Definition of prior
Adjective
  • According to data from the C.D.C., infants under six months of age with COVID have been hospitalized at comparable rates to people in their late sixties and early seventies.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
  • Not bad for a town that emerged originally as the terminus of industrial traffic along the Erie Canal in the early 1800s.
    — David Allan, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Definition of early
Adjective
  • And ask how often do their patients need red-reduce surgery, or revision surgery, after the initial surgery.
    — Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
  • Four out of the five former Biden White House officials tapped for congressional interviews have made initial contact with the committee via their lawyers since the chairman sent his letters on May 22, a source familiar with the panel’s work told the Washington Examiner.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Thornton and Veronica Burton — both former Dallas Wings teammates — combined for 13 points in the third, but the lead again stretched to 16 at the end of the third.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • Legends finds Jackson playing Victor, a former boxing champ and pizzeria owner.
    — Nicole Acosta, People.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of former
Adjective
  • That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • 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
  • The original National Theatre run played from Nov. 21, 2024, through Jan. 25, 2025, in the Lyttelton Theatre before being released to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • Her original mission may have ended, but her troubles are only just beginning.
    — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of original

Phrases Containing previous

Browse Nearby Words

previews
previous
previously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Previous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on previous

Nglish: Translation of previous for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All