foregoing 1 of 2

Definition of foregoingnext

foregoing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of forego
as in preceding
to go or come before in time if the sparse crowds are any indication of the public's interest in the presidential candidate, then his reputation obviously foregoes him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word foregoing distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of foregoing are antecedent, anterior, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When would antecedent be a good substitute for foregoing?

While in some cases nearly identical to foregoing, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When is anterior a more appropriate choice than foregoing?

The synonyms anterior and foregoing are sometimes interchangeable, but anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might former be a better fit than foregoing?

The words former and foregoing can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When is it sensible to use preceding instead of foregoing?

The meanings of preceding and foregoing largely overlap; however, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How are the words previous and prior related as synonyms of foregoing?

Both previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

How is the word foregoing distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of foregoing are antecedent, anterior, former, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When would antecedent be a good substitute for foregoing?

While in some cases nearly identical to foregoing, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When is anterior a more appropriate choice than foregoing?

The synonyms anterior and foregoing are sometimes interchangeable, but anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When might former be a better fit than foregoing?

The words former and foregoing can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When is it sensible to use preceding instead of foregoing?

The meanings of preceding and foregoing largely overlap; however, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How are the words previous and prior related as synonyms of foregoing?

Both previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

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 foregoing
Adjective
That is consistent with a shift observed in March last year among seniors, which authorities theorized could be driven by less severe disease in hospitals or more foregoing hospital care. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 4 May 2023 The image below shows what is perhaps the key element that helped tie all the foregoing aspects together. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 5 July 2022 As seen, in all of the foregoing 20-year periods surveyed, the stock index possessed average annual returns exceeding that of the rate of inflation. Dan Cupkovic, Forbes, 16 June 2022 The daily average is also now a significant undercount, with most people testing positive on rapid tests that go unreported or foregoing testing altogether. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 31 May 2022 That should help doctors and patients feel more comfortable foregoing radiation after thyroid surgery, Leboulleux said. Angus Chen, STAT, 10 Mar. 2022 City dwellers are increasingly foregoing car ownership. Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2019
Verb
Even as homeowners face more extreme weather like recent wildfires, floods and tornadoes, millions of them are foregoing home insurance, often due to soaring costs. Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026 Today’s Gen Zers might find the foregoing guardrails difficult to grasp. Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026 But this explanation doesn’t account for another shift – why affluent consumers are foregoing splurges on items like designer handbags in favor of premium groceries. Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026 But this explanation doesn’t account for another shift – why affluent consumers are foregoing splurges on items like designer handbags in favor of premium groceries. Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026 The assemblies aren’t the end of the nomination process — indeed, some of the highest-profile names in Democratic politics are foregoing it. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026 In essence, content producers, by foregoing large upfront compensation, could reap the rewards of long-term content ownership over an increasing number of distribution platforms as, for many years, the producers of network television series have done. Dick Lippin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026 And, not only will the principal be protected and the interest potentially significant, but CDs are also FDIC-insured, offering peace of mind to savers who are foregoing access to their money for multiple years. CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 Years of steadily climbing coffee prices have some in this country of coffee lovers upending their habits by nixing café visits, switching to cheaper brews or foregoing it altogether. ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foregoing
Adjective
  • And, unlike some previous conflicts, there have been few effective measures to stabilize the global economy.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And, in the end, none of the aforementioned might be available except for Ja Morant, who might be only a nominal upgrade, if that.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The aforementioned countertop compost bins?
    Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the three years preceding Richard’s death, police were dispatched to the Hollis apartment more than 25 times.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Among three graduating classes preceding 2025, 61% work at CDC and 8% work at other federal agencies.
    Matthew Donahue, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foregoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foregoing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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