Precedingly

Precedingly is an adverb that means "previously" or "earlier." It is used to indicate that something happened or existed before another event or time. The term is derived from the adjective "preceding," which means "coming before in time or order." Precedingly is less commonly used than its synonyms but can be employed in formal or technical writing to convey a sense of sequence or progression.

In a sentence, precedingly might be used as follows: "The company precedingly operated under a different business model, but recent changes have led to a shift in strategy." Here, "precedingly" indicates that the company's previous business model existed before the recent changes.

While precedingly is a valid English word, its usage is relatively rare compared to other adverbs that convey similar meanings. Speakers and writers often opt for more commonly used terms like "previously" or "earlier" to maintain clarity and readability. Nonetheless, precedingly can be a useful tool for those seeking to add a touch of formality or precision to their language.