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

\/\/ the former<\/em> name of the company<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'antecedent' be a good substitute for 'former'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms antecedent<\/em><\/a> and former<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent<\/em> applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.<\/p>

\/\/ conditions antecedent<\/em> to the revolution<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'anterior' be used to replace 'former'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of anterior<\/em><\/a> and former<\/em> largely overlap; however, anterior<\/em> applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.<\/p>

\/\/ the anterior<\/em> lobe of the brain<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'foregoing' a more appropriate choice than 'former'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words foregoing<\/em><\/a> and former<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing<\/em> applies chiefly to statements.<\/p>

\/\/ the foregoing<\/em> remarks<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'preceding' be used instead of 'former'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms preceding<\/em><\/a> and former<\/em> are close in meaning, preceding<\/em> usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.<\/p>

\/\/ the preceding<\/em> sentence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'previous' and 'prior' relate to one another, in the sense of 'former'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Both previous<\/em><\/a> and prior<\/em><\/a> imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior<\/em> often adds an implication of greater importance.<\/p>

\/\/ a child from a previous<\/em> marriage<\/p>

\/\/ a prior<\/em> obligation<\/p>" } } ] }

former

adjective

ˈfȯr-mÉ™r How to pronounce former (audio)
Definition of formernext
1
as in erstwhile
having been such at some previous time the coach is a former professional baseball player

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 Davis, a former player and assistant coach for the Tar Heels, has had several highs in his coaching career, including reaching the 2022 Final Four. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026 Fely was one of 18 former Broncos to work out during Pro Day, along with Idaho State wide receivers Tsion Nunnally and Mike Shulikov, the latter a Centennial High School graduate. —Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026 Other prominent candidates of color who were excluded include Villaraigosa, former California State Controller Betty Yee and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 To better understand the departures and their impact on veterans’ care, ProPublica interviewed dozens of former and current VA staffers as well as patients. —Vernal Coleman, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
  1. erstwhile
  2. previous
  3. old
  4. other
Adjective
  • Still, the erstwhile tax credit made the cars more accessible.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
  • This includes an erstwhile Democrat who spent considerable time and political capital on the issue.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • The death toll was nearly double that of the previous figure given by authorities, who continued search and recovery efforts at the site of the deadly crash.
    — Luis Jaime Acosta, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • For months when the first day of a month falls on a weekend or holiday, these payments are issued on the last business day of the previous month, like March’s payment.
    — Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of previous
Adjective
  • Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have another qualifying disability.
    — Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
  • This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Yet University City has never developed the kind of independent dining culture that has flourished in other parts of Charlotte.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Offer availability, placement, and display are determined by the third party and may be influenced by compensation and other factors.
    — Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of other

Browse Nearby Words

formed
former
formerly
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Cite this Entry

“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of former for Spanish Speakers

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