PREVIOUSLY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

previously

adverb

Definition of previously

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

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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 Vucic’s tenure saw Serbia go in a more pro-Western direction than previously, playing a delicate balancing act between a plethora of actors often directly at odds with each other. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026 Lula previously spent more than a year in prison on corruption convictions that were eventually annulled. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 The International Criminal Court has previously issued arrest warrants against Putin, Shoigu and Gerasimov for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 The withdrawn application had requested approval to build a 166,000-square-foot warehouse on a parcel off Hill Road between State Highway 55 and North Horseshoe Bend Road, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026 Diaw previously raised these allegations against Brown in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in October 2023. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The Jets lost to the previously winless Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and while that can happen because the other guys get paid, too, the Dolphins had been getting paid without winning before this one. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Someone who previously spent much of their time producing information may now be expected to question its conclusions, exercise judgment and explain a recommendation to others. — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Assault and grievous bodily harm charges, which the pair denied, were previously dropped, as was a charge Brown faced of having an offensive weapon. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for previously

Adverb

Infrastructure on this scale needs a dedicated body that can keep pace with the technology and draw on the expertise already spread across existing agencies.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Jeffries will campaign with Johnny Garcia, who’s running a competitive race in one of those seats where Republicans initially expected an easier pickup (after already forcing one longtime Democratic incumbent to retire).

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of already

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previously

previous to

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“Previously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/previously. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of previously

adverb

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