preceding
Earlier in sequence
Preceding means coming before in time, order, or position.
The preceding chapter is the one just before this one.
In the preceding weeks, events had built toward crisis.
Unlike previous, which can refer to anything earlier, preceding usually implies immediately before: the preceding paragraph, the preceding year.
Occurring before another
- priorExisting before another
- earlierAt a prior time
- formerPreviously holding a position
- foregoingPreviously mentioned or stated
antecedent · before · beforehand · past · erstwhile · preexisting · advance · preliminary
Occurring before another
- priorExisting before another
- formerPreviously holding a position
- foregoingPreviously mentioned or stated
- antecedentSomething that precedes
above · aforementioned · earlier · before · prefatory · introductory · preliminary · lead-in
Prophetic indicator
- portentSign of future calamity
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- presageIndicate beforehand
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
foreboding · augury · prophetic · predictive · anticipatory · prognostic · auspice · premonition
Introductory book section
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- forewordIntroductory book section
- preamblePreliminary statement before content
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
prelude · overture · proem · exordium · opening · lead-in · preliminary · preparatory
Predecessor in lineage
- forebearAncestral family member
- forefatherAncestor from generations past
- foremotherFemale forebear
- progenitorAncestor or originator
antecedent · lineage · heritage · genealogy · patriarch · matriarch · bloodline · descent
previous
Occurring before another
foregoing · antecedent · before · beforehand · past · erstwhile · preexisting · advance · preliminary · premature
previous
Occurring before another
- priorExisting before another
- formerPreviously holding a position
- foregoingPreviously mentioned or stated
antecedent · above · aforementioned · earlier · before · prefatory · introductory · preliminary · lead-in · opening
omen
Prophetic indicator
forewarning · foreboding · augury · prophetic · predictive · anticipatory · prognostic · auspice · premonition · herald
preface
Introductory book section
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- forewordIntroductory book section
- preamblePreliminary statement before content
introduction · prelude · overture · proem · exordium · opening · lead-in · preliminary · preparatory · prefatory
ancestor
Predecessor in lineage
- forebearAncestral family member
- forefatherAncestor from generations past
- foremotherFemale forebear
progenitor · antecedent · lineage · heritage · genealogy · patriarch · matriarch · bloodline · descent · roots
precedingfollowing
Coming after another
subsequent · succeeding · ensuing · later · next
succeed, proceed, recede, precede, concede, cede, precedent, accede, predecessor