as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
he had prepared the meat stocks previously so as to make things easier on the day of the big dinner
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Recent Examples of previously
The presence of state investigators on scene at the latest shooting by a federal immigration officer was notable, given federal authorities had previously blocked the BCA from participating in the investigation of the shooting of Good.
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Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said Terrell was previously convicted of kidnapping.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Trump previously said Nvidia would be permitted to sell its H200 chip in China but that the US would take a 25% cut.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
The tech giant previously warned that the ban would cut off teens from friends and community.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Harper previously joined her mom in March 2025 at the Los Angeles premiere of her show The Residence.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
While the internet immediately guessed her piece for The Cut was about Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor, and other moms that the High School Musical alum had been photographed with previously, Duff's husband, Matthew Koma, commented on the subject via social media.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Pallares, 34, listed as a Yukon resident in the Oklahoma County filing, does not seem to have held or run for office previously.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 14 Jan. 2026
Roadway work continues on southbound Interstate 5 at the busy San Ysidro border crossing in south San Diego County after officials previously warned motorists to anticipate delays.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previously
Adverb
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By the time police arrived, the four suspects — black females between the ages of 18 and 23 — had already gone, but they were each caught on store surveillance cameras.—
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Jessica Ranucci, a lawyer in the New York Attorney General’s office, said in the Friday hearing, which was conducted by telephone, that at least four of the states had already had money delayed after requesting it.—
Adverb
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Want to get ahead at work with AI?—
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While floral block prints are poised to become a darling of the wallpaper world in the year ahead, Rees says large-scale florals might create a distracting or chaotic feel that’s definitely not on the menu in 2026.—
Cite this Entry
“Previously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previously. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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