PREVIOUS TO Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

previous to

preposition

Definition of previous to

as in before

earlier than his passport arrived just previous to his trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 to Kent, originally from Sutton, graduated from the State Police Academy in 2022 and did not have a disciplinary record previous to this incident, the Herald previously reported. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026 Scott Cooper had offered me a movie previous to Deliver Me from Nowhere. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2025 His six league goals last season represent a modest return, especially after back-to-back double-digit campaigns previous to this. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025 With nine more seasons under his belt as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers previous to that, he's recorded a 102-103-2 overall record. — George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for previous to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previous to

Preposition

The button placement is great for beginners and allows new users to start straight away before moving up to more advanced shooting.

— Harry Bennett, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Harvey has worked in the sport for more than three decades, with stops at Bradford City, Leeds and the EFL before becoming a director at Wrexham in 2023.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

Operating from Ireland and founded in 1999, the company Intrade dominated non-state, public prediction market activity prior to the advent of crypto.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Information about the Eagle Ascend™ Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of prior to

Preposition

The aircraft is particularly suited to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), maritime surveillance, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
But that condition applies to all affectionate bonds and doesn’t, on its own, identify attachment.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

previously

previous to

prevision

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Style

“Previous to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previous%20to. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of previous to

preposition

Example Sentences

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