Synonyms of prior

prior

adjective

ˈprī(-ə)r 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

this assignment will be prior to any other work you may have

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• highest
• primary
• first
• greatest
• predominant
• dominant
• foremost
• leading
• big
• principal
• key
• central
• chief
• supreme
• paramount
• cardinal
• overriding
• great
• premier
• primal
• number one
• master
• overbearing
• capital
• sovereign
• No. 1
• major
• top
• outstanding
• numero uno
• grand
• distinguished
• notable
• preeminent
• overmastering
• important
• senior
• noteworthy
• arch
• stellar
• illustrious
• signal
• prestigious
• high-level
• superior
• eminent
• momentous
• sovran
• influential
• significant
• incomparable
• famous
• unparalleled
• star
• unequalled
• famed
• celebrated
• renowned
• noble
• mighty
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• least
• minor
• slight
• negligible
• trivial
• unimportant
• secondary
• insignificant
• subordinate
• inferior
• collateral
• inconsequential
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• subsidiary

2

as in previous

going before another in time or order

we've made prior arrangements

Synonyms & Similar Words

• previous
• preceding
• early
• earliest
• precedent
• initial
• former
• foregoing
• antecedent
• original
• anterior
• first
• advance
• premature
• preliminary
• introductory
• preexisting
• pioneer
• inaugural
• maiden
• erstwhile
• whilom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subsequent
• following
• later
• after
• succeeding
• ensuing
• posterior
• late
• last
• final
• advanced
• latter
• latest
• concluding
• ultimate
• terminal
• closing

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

Recent Examples of prior

Commodity prices spiked and farm real estate prices more than doubled in the ‘70s, with large-scale farmers who’d purchased cheap land during a consolidation period in prior decades seeing their values skyrocket. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 16 May 2025

The evidence in question dealt with prior uses of force by Banks and training and performance records that showed Bubo was sometimes over-aggressive and had a history in some trainings of not releasing from a bite when ordered. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025

The format of the tournament back then was also vastly different, with the prior year’s champions being granted automatic entry into the next year’s finals, a format which would be abandoned by 1874. —Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 16 May 2025

Immigrant employees either did not show up for work or were told to go home, to avoid being detained by ICE. ICE arrested 196 people in the city raid — less than half of whom have prior criminal records. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 May 2025

Phrases Containing prior

• prior to