Synonym Chooser

How is the word former distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of former are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When would antecedent be a good substitute for former?

The synonyms antecedent and former are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could anterior be used to replace former?

The meanings of anterior and former 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

When is foregoing a more appropriate choice than former?

The words foregoing and former are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When can preceding be used instead of former?

While the synonyms preceding and former are close in meaning, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

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

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 former Muhammad Tahir is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and a former executive at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 McIlroy and Rose finished at 11-under 277, two shots ahead of former Masters champion Patrick Reed (69). Time, 14 Apr. 2025 He is described as a former Firefly and friend of Tommy, Joel's brother. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Imagine if a future Republican administration wanted to ban from employment all of the staffers and others who were pardoned, some questionably but all legally, by former President Joe Biden. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
Adjective
  • Earlier this year, there was a small bit of consternation in the Death Grips fan community due to an apparent private comment from erstwhile band member Andy Morin that was leaked publicly.
    Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Bloomberg/Via Getty Images President Trump's announcements on tariffs have dismayed many of his erstwhile supporters on Wall Street.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t Chelsea and the Premier League have previous on associated party transactions?
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But Matt Lyons, CPS’ chief talent officer from 2015 to 2021, who oversaw similar discipline conversations with previous boards, said the decision to reinstate the cook seemed unusual.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Not content just to confirm its arrival, Veach deftly sliced a slit in the plastic to minimize any potential forensic trail, removed the new game and swapped in the old version before carefully rewrapping it.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In contrast, older generations started saving much later, with boomers beginning at an average age of 37 and with plans to retire at 72.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The trip to Brentford is little more than a lower mid-table meeting, but United’s other three engagements could have more riding on them.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The president and his administration accuse Harvard, among other universities, of allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus, endangering Jewish students.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on former

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