preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place. the preceding sentence antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

Does the word preceding mean before or after?

Some common synonyms of preceding are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

Does preceding mean after?

When something is described as preceding, it is usually being discussed in reference to what follows or has followed it. Preceding is most commonly applied to things in a series.