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

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 anterior Bringing mice to an enclosure and zapping their feet with tiny electric shocks, then bringing the mice back to the enclosure without zapping their feet, the researchers revealed which neurons are activated in the anterior basolateral amygdala (aBLA) when a mouse learns and unlearns a fear. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 Lacking muscle One possibility here is that wnt signaling is widely active in the posterior of the embryo at this point, blocking formation of anterior structures. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025 The unique traits of Dickinsonia include its bilaterally symmetric, oval shape with a pronounced anterior–posterior axis. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The researchers pinpointed this activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, regions responsible for value judgments and reward prediction. Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anterior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anterior
Adjective
  • But when Fry meets Jenkins at the front door of the station, the WSU chief senses this is different.
    Vicky Ward, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • Medics rushed the Toyota driver, Nyarko-Dei, and a 69-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat to Jacobi Medical Center, where Nyarko-Dei died.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • This may explain the sudden shift back to the Exynos processor after Samsung went all-Snapdragon for the previous generation.
    Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • As a result, early educators were notified they would be laid off on June 30 when the previous grant expired, and families were forced to find other child care options starting on June 4.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bluff front and large frontal area may also explain the wind noise at highway speeds, although that can easily be drowned out by the sound system (or two rows of children, perhaps).
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025
  • During this time of year, frontal boundaries often stall in the area and then can undergo further development into a tropical system.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anterior. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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