Usage of Prior to
Sometimes termed pompous or affected, prior to is a synonym of before that most often appears in rather formal contexts, such as the annual reports of corporations. It may occasionally emphasize the notion of anticipation.
page makeup decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting
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Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Examples of prior to in a Sentence
make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication
Recent Examples on the Web
Freshman tight end Luka Gilbert hauled in his first career reception for 20 yards prior to that.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Chamberlain added that Cooper, who brought forward the proscription order, could have consulted the group prior to the move.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Chondwe's sense is that prior to the NPR article, the government genuinely did not realize what was happening in Kitwe.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Smith had multiple run-ins with the law prior to the 2012 incident.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior to
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Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Chamberlain added that Cooper, who brought forward the proscription order, could have consulted the group prior to the move.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Chondwe's sense is that prior to the NPR article, the government genuinely did not realize what was happening in Kitwe.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Smith had multiple run-ins with the law prior to the 2012 incident.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior to
Cite this Entry
“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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