PRECEDING Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

preceding 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈsē-diŋ

Definition of preceding next

as in previous

going before another in time or order had not eaten since the preceding day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preceding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of precede

as in predating

to go or come before in time there are two speeches which will precede yours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word preceding distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of preceding are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

Where would antecedent be a reasonable alternative to preceding?

While in some cases nearly identical to preceding, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could anterior be used to replace preceding?

The meanings of anterior and preceding largely overlap; however, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

In what contexts can foregoing take the place of preceding?

While the synonyms foregoing and preceding are close in meaning, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of preceding?

In some situations, the words former and preceding are roughly equivalent. However, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

How do previous and prior relate to one another, in the sense of preceding?

Both 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

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 preceding

Adjective

Rather than drive viewers to keep watching, cliffhanger endings can accidentally foreground inaction in the preceding hour. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025 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 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 The accolades, as well as the president's preceding remarks, came exactly two years after the riot, which saw a number of former President Donald Trump's supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort the overturn the 2020 election. —

Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 6 Jan. 2023 Lincecum had sneaked by Madison Bumgarner to advance in the preceding round, garnering 51% of the votes. —

John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 5 Apr. 2020 Annual inflation has been just 1.8% on average, down from about 3.5% during the preceding 20 years and 4.5% in the two decades before that. —

The Economist, 13 Feb. 2020 But the train whirred, caught and deposited us at the preceding station. —

Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2020

Verb

The manager outlined his threat, having increased his interest in a player he, preceding that, had scant knowledge of. —

Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 To that point, Lee stressed the importance of city names preceding a team name as a distinguishing factor. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2026 The researchers are hopeful that uncovering the processes preceding Alzheimer’s disease could one day lead to new therapies. —

Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026 That dirty work allowed the Celtics to build a 19-point halftime lead despite Brown having nearly as many giveaways (two) as made field goals (3-for-14) over the preceding two quarters. —

Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026 The sales contract stated that Kaplan was not aware of any special assessment that had been an item in an agenda or the minutes for board meetings during the preceding 12 months. —

Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025 His coalition has outlasted every Israeli government of the past six years, giving him time to restore Israel’s regional deterrence while avoiding substantial inquiry into the decision-making preceding its unprecedented security lapse on October 7, 2023. —

Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025 Welker provided this testimony at the hearing immediately preceding Moore's arraignment. —

Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 Ladd was married three times, her final husband Robert Charles Hunter preceding her in death earlier this year. —

Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preceding

Adjective

Police located a vehicle description and license plate associated with him from a previous call for service.

— Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Founded and headquartered in Boise, Micron is Idaho’s largest for-profit employer, according to previous Statesman reporting.

— Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026