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
No one was hurt in the incident, which occurred as the Starship spacecraft was standing alone on the test stand being filled with cryogenic propellants for an engine test-firing prior to being mounted on top of the rocket booster.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Big Jook, born Anthony Mims, was murdered in Memphis in January 2024, but was suspected of being involved in Young Dolph’s death prior to his own passing.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2025
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
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Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Big Jook, born Anthony Mims, was murdered in Memphis in January 2024, but was suspected of being involved in Young Dolph’s death prior to his own passing.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2025
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
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 27 Aug. 2025.
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