as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
he had prepared the meat stocks previously so as to make things easier on the day of the big dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 previously
This comes after airspace violations involving balloons carrying contraband cigarettes which had previously forced the closure of airspace earlier in the month.
—
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
As a result of the new agreement, Little Rock officers and sergeants will get another 5% pay increase in 2027 on top of the 5% increases previously negotiated for 2025 and 2026.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
College football offensive schemes began to maximize the pass-catching tight end where previously the trend was four-receiver (10 personnel) spread offenses.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The site was previously owned by ExxonMobil.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
These vortices are called flux ropes, and satellites had previously observed small flux ropes—but our work helped uncover how they are generated.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
The college had previously been planning to develop the Biscayne Boulevard parking lot through a public-private partnership.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Now, the singer has dropped her Folded Homage Pack EP of remixes that venerated musicians Brandy, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Tank, and Mario previously teased on social media, with a new addition from Ne-Yo as well.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Because Washington’s Zach Ertz has played his entire career in the NFC (previously with the Eagles, Cardinals and Lions) and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce competes in the AFC, their teams have seldom met.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
As a result of the new agreement, Little Rock officers and sergeants will get another 5% pay increase in 2027 on top of the 5% increases previously negotiated for 2025 and 2026.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
College football offensive schemes began to maximize the pass-catching tight end where previously the trend was four-receiver (10 personnel) spread offenses.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The site was previously owned by ExxonMobil.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
These vortices are called flux ropes, and satellites had previously observed small flux ropes—but our work helped uncover how they are generated.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
The college had previously been planning to develop the Biscayne Boulevard parking lot through a public-private partnership.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Now, the singer has dropped her Folded Homage Pack EP of remixes that venerated musicians Brandy, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Tank, and Mario previously teased on social media, with a new addition from Ne-Yo as well.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Because Washington’s Zach Ertz has played his entire career in the NFC (previously with the Eagles, Cardinals and Lions) and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce competes in the AFC, their teams have seldom met.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for previously
Adverb
-
But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
From the ongoing government shutdown to a national redistricting fight dropped on Indiana's proverbial doorstep and a 2026 statewide race already heating up, it's been anything but.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso became their midfield pairing, as Xavi pushed ahead.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Daylight saving time is the period between March and November when Americans set their clocks ahead by one hour.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Previously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previously. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share