as in previous
going before another in time or order
had not eaten since the preceding day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in predating
to go or come before in time
there are two speeches which will precede yours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preceding
Nicholas Kitonyi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Most of those were seized on Oct. 7, 2023, but others were taken hostage in the preceding decade, and a substantial number are no longer alive.
—Jerome Socolovsky, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
During the preceding month, the platform was profiting off political ads from at least three of the lawmakers who signed the letter: Goldman, Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.).
—Aaron Schaffer, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023
The accolades, as well as the president's preceding remarks, came exactly two years after the riot, which saw a number of former President Donald Trump's supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort the overturn the 2020 election.
—Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 6 Jan. 2023
Lincecum had sneaked by Madison Bumgarner to advance in the preceding round, garnering 51% of the votes.
—John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 5 Apr. 2020
Annual inflation has been just 1.8% on average, down from about 3.5% during the preceding 20 years and 4.5% in the two decades before that.
—The Economist, 13 Feb. 2020
But the train whirred, caught and deposited us at the preceding station.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2020
And/or the headings are continuations of the last sentence of the preceding section:
But first, before Franz got back,
THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG
came round.
—Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2019
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The revisions will entail the 12-month period preceding March 2025.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Rodgers swore his 21st NFL opener overall and 18th as a starter was no different than any preceding it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
In the preceding years, views toward socialism — distinguished by collective ownership of the means of production — remained relatively unchanged.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
An expanse of nothing preceding them, receding behind them, ruptured only by the trap music coming from the speakers.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Shoppers knew trouble was ahead, with confidence down 7% in the preceding year.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster changes At a separate media preview preceding Destination D23, Disney revealed more details on the reimagining of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Officials did not provide additional details about the events preceding Konanui-Kong's fall.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In the preceding month, Gamestop also closed its NFT marketplace, just months after removing support for its NFT wallet.
—Nicholas Kitonyi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Most of those were seized on Oct. 7, 2023, but others were taken hostage in the preceding decade, and a substantial number are no longer alive.
—Jerome Socolovsky, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
During the preceding month, the platform was profiting off political ads from at least three of the lawmakers who signed the letter: Goldman, Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.).
—Aaron Schaffer, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023
The accolades, as well as the president's preceding remarks, came exactly two years after the riot, which saw a number of former President Donald Trump's supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an effort the overturn the 2020 election.
—Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 6 Jan. 2023
Lincecum had sneaked by Madison Bumgarner to advance in the preceding round, garnering 51% of the votes.
—John Shea, SFChronicle.com, 5 Apr. 2020
Annual inflation has been just 1.8% on average, down from about 3.5% during the preceding 20 years and 4.5% in the two decades before that.
—The Economist, 13 Feb. 2020
But the train whirred, caught and deposited us at the preceding station.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2020
And/or the headings are continuations of the last sentence of the preceding section:
But first, before Franz got back,
THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG
came round.
—Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2019
Verb
That is a sharp contrast from the preceding five-year period, from 2014 to 2019, when median household income rose nearly 21%, according to Census data.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The revisions will entail the 12-month period preceding March 2025.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Rodgers swore his 21st NFL opener overall and 18th as a starter was no different than any preceding it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
In the preceding years, views toward socialism — distinguished by collective ownership of the means of production — remained relatively unchanged.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
An expanse of nothing preceding them, receding behind them, ruptured only by the trap music coming from the speakers.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Shoppers knew trouble was ahead, with confidence down 7% in the preceding year.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster changes At a separate media preview preceding Destination D23, Disney revealed more details on the reimagining of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Officials did not provide additional details about the events preceding Konanui-Kong's fall.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preceding
Adjective
-
In July, a judge said Decarlos Brown might not be mentally capable of understanding previous charges against him.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The two sides reached terms on a renewal after a short-term extension to their previous pact, averting a blackout of Fox News and other nets on YouTube TV.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite all the recent tech wealth and tech jobs and development growth, Seattle’s creative community has shrunken, a trend long predating COVID.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Far predating meticulous records, the war sprawled across the civilian populations of many nations.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At age 22, Mercor’s leaders Foody, Hiremath and Surya Midha are all Thiel Fellows, members of conservative billionaire investor Peter Thiel’s program to dole out $100,000 grants every year to young people in exchange for foregoing college.—
Richard Nieva,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
While foregoing some groceries and social activities, Adeoye also amassed $12,000 worth of credit card debt and took out a same-day cash loan for $3,500.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preceding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preceding. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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