Former
Former adjective - Going before another in time or order.
Usage example: the former manual had some errors, but the current version has its own problems
Previous is a synonym for former in time topic. In some cases you can use "Previous" instead the word "Former" as an adjective or a noun or an adverb, when it comes to topics like precede, earlier, foregoing. popular alternative
Nearby Word: formerly
Previous
Previous adjective - Going before another in time or order.
Usage example: the previous math problem also included a reference to store discounts
Former is a synonym for previous in time topic. You can use "Former" instead the word "Previous" as an adjective or a noun or an adverb, if it concerns topics such as earlier, old, precede, foregoing. popular alternative
Nearby Word: previously
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- Though he may be innocent in terms of knowledge of at the time of reincarnation of previous wrongs done in former lives, there are those who would argue that point.
Source: Amnesiacs Are Innocent - It's even more unintuitive by the fact that earlier you had to trap the wizard's brother (who was turned into a talking cat in a previous game) in a bag so that he wouldn't alert the former.
Source: Guide Dang It / Adventure -
One time though, it was actually averted when he found himself in a Survivor Series team in which his teammates were former rivals of his and all of them reminded him of their previous feuds.
Source: Wrestling / Triple H
Cite this Source
Previous and Former. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/former/previous
Former & Previous. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/former/previous>.
Previous or Former. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/former/previous.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "former" and "previous" have occurred on timeline