Synonym Chooser

How is the word prior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prior are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, and previous. While all these words mean "being before," previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

In what contexts can antecedent take the place of prior?

While in some cases nearly identical to prior, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When might anterior be a better fit than prior?

Although the words anterior and prior have much in common, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When can foregoing be used instead of prior?

The meanings of foregoing and prior largely overlap; however, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of prior?

The words former and prior can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When is preceding a more appropriate choice than prior?

In some situations, the words preceding and prior are roughly equivalent. However, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prior One exception involved a worker with a prior removal order, whose arrest the court deemed lawful. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Vitello is the first person to become an MLB manager directly from the college ranks, without any prior major league experience. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025 Bobde joins the sports and entertainment ticketing company from online marketplace Thumbtack and held prior roles at Microsoft and Meta. John Kell, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025 Both votes were counted, according to a prior release. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
Adjective
  • As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Representatives for Bardot did not respond to PEOPLE's previous request for a comment on the actress's condition.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Scholtes rejected a second-degree murder plea deal in March 2025 that would have resulted in a sentence of 10 to 25 years, according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Two guest bedrooms can be found downstairs, while four more upstairs bedrooms include a secluded primary retreat that comes with a fireplace, a dressing room, and dual baths.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This corner room offered the perfect view to keep watch over Main Street and the primary north-south international highway.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Curry of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame memorably gave the dancing clown its first breath in a 1990 miniseries co-written and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Flames, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win at home after starting their season 1-6-0.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Aspen groves are not as predominant here and hikers will find a wider array of colors due to the range of deciduous tree varieties fed by additional moisture from springs and creeks.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Erling Haaland famously scored nine goals in a single game against Honduras back in 2019, while the likes of Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi, and even Diego Maradona have taken home Golden Ball awards for dominant performances at the competition.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • As the dominant content provider in live television, when the league strikes a new agreement or makes a change to its programming, it will be felt across the media ecosystem.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Goodall was seen as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The 2019 Nationals aren’t even the foremost road warriors of the last few years.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to her fashion business, Doble serves as an ambassador for Project Zero, leading initiatives focused on coral reef conservation and sustainable fashion practices.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Her appointment comes at a time where, amid a flurry of changes among industry leadership, few women have been charged with leading menswear divisions.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prior

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