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
—
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
While a guest on Seth Meyers on May 12, prior to welcoming Méi into the world, Olivia Munn said that Kim Munn told them that the American version of her name Dung was June.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
While not the best of buddies prior to uniting on the Yankees, the two knew each other through a mutual friend, Lucas Giolito.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
The singer was spotted out in New York yesterday (June 7) prior to her performance at the Governor’s Ball.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 June 2025
The drug abuse occurred prior to Ramirez’s imprisonment (more than two decades earlier) and was likely the cause of his hepatitis C infection, the Marin County assistant chief deputy coroner told USA Today.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior to
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.
Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
While not the best of buddies prior to uniting on the Yankees, the two knew each other through a mutual friend, Lucas Giolito.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
The singer was spotted out in New York yesterday (June 7) prior to her performance at the Governor’s Ball.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 June 2025
The drug abuse occurred prior to Ramirez’s imprisonment (more than two decades earlier) and was likely the cause of his hepatitis C infection, the Marin County assistant chief deputy coroner told USA Today.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 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 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share