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
Radford’s chain of command was unaware of the arrest prior to Wednesday’s shooting, Lubas said.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Cincinnati is the last big hardcourt tune-up prior to the US Open, the event where Williams won two of her seven Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
What was your history with Eddie Murphy and his work prior to The Pickup?
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The footprint previously housed the city’s red-light district and prior to groundbreaking in April of 2025 was parking lots.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
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Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Cincinnati is the last big hardcourt tune-up prior to the US Open, the event where Williams won two of her seven Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
What was your history with Eddie Murphy and his work prior to The Pickup?
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The footprint previously housed the city’s red-light district and prior to groundbreaking in April of 2025 was parking lots.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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