FORMER Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

former

adjective

ˈfȯr-mər

Definition of former next

as in erstwhile

having been such at some previous time the coach is a former professional baseball player

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in previous

going before another in time or order the former manual had some errors, but the current version has its own problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 former That was when former Nokia designer Anna Valtonen, a scholar of strategic design at Aalto University, acquired Nokia’s 20,000-piece database. —

Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024 Georgia is a former Soviet republic and sits at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 In the face of bipartisan opposition, one of Trump’s most controversial picks—former Congressman Max Gaetz—withdrew from consideration to be attorney general. —

Edward Segal, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Its most recent post was shared at 12:42 a.m. EST Nov. 6 and shows a video of former Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond speaking at Howard University and calling for patience during the vote-tabulation process. —

Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for former

Recent Examples of Synonyms for former

Adjective

In the gray daylight of the first days of Syria’s freedom, its citizens appear so far to be behaving not like unrestrained madmen but like traumatized, decent people worthy of their liberty, delivered even by an erstwhile jihadist.

Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The rapid advance by insurgents is a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad, who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts.

Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024