Synonym Chooser

How is the word anterior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of anterior are antecedent, foregoing, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might antecedent be a better fit than anterior?

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

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could foregoing be used to replace anterior?

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

the foregoing remarks

When can former be used instead of anterior?

The meanings of former and anterior largely overlap; however, former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

In what contexts can preceding take the place of anterior?

While in some cases nearly identical to anterior, 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 anterior?

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

Examples 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 anterior Canter suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to her left orbital bone, optic nerve canal and anterior skull base as well as multiple sinus fractures, severe bruising and internal bleeding. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Nov. 2024 Conversely, the brains of the more liberal students had a larger anterior cingulate cortex—a structure associated with emotional awareness and emotional processing of pain. Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Brain regions such as the anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex integrate many sources of information – essential for being able to form a mixed emotion. Anthony Gianni Vaccaro, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024 Ibrahimovic had joined the Galaxy in 2018, after recuperating from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury suffered at Manchester United. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anterior 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anterior
Adjective
  • Starting at the rear wheel, check the brake, tire, axle and derailleur, then move on to the saddle and seatpost, then the cranks, bottom bracket and pedals, then the cockpit and headset, and finally the front wheel and brake.
    Seb Stott, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The child opened the front door carrying the armed weapon to a cadet who came to serve a subpoena at the property on Inn Road on Saturday, Jan. 25, the Battle Creek Police Department stated in a news release.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Set in Thailand, after previous seasons in Hawaii and Italy, the latest installment promises to be grander, more epic—and much, much darker.
    Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Project Rise investors fired off a legal letter in October 2024 claiming that Paramount’s special committee violated its fiduciary duty to shareholders by neglecting to consider the group’s previous $8.5 billion bid for the company.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Her portraits are grounded by 19th-century studio photography, reflecting the era’s formal, frontal presentation of figures, single-source lighting and flat backgrounds that leave few indications of time, location or context.
    Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Waiting times for the control group with other frontal damage were similar to those of healthy controls.
    Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near anterior

Cite this Entry

“Anterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anterior. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anterior

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