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 Some 4,000 people showed up for the event after her comments, according to prior Idaho Statesman reporting. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2025 Although the two sides of City Hall clashed on some topics, with legal services for recent immigrants a sticking point, the budget has added funding for many areas the mayor has cut in prior years, including libraries and childcare. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025 The new export orders component of the manufacturing PMI improved significantly to 47.5 from 44.7 in the prior month. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 June 2025 Julian Reese, the former forward for the Maryland Terrapins, was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday following the two NBA Draft rounds in prior days. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
Adjective
  • The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically motivated attack.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
  • The circular balcony, which looks down on the museum’s main lobby, is festooned with ribbons from the ceremony that took place when the Long Wharf moved from its longtime home on the loading dock to offices in the Audubon arts district.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • This may explain the sudden shift back to the Exynos processor after Samsung went all-Snapdragon for the previous generation.
    Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • As a result, early educators were notified they would be laid off on June 30 when the previous grant expired, and families were forced to find other child care options starting on June 4.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Now Vest has 15 saves and has blossomed into the Tigers’ primary ninth-inning option.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • For starters: The Heat returned to what essentially is their primary summer lineup, with Ware back after being held out of Tuesday’s finale of the California Classic.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is the first time the river has been opened to swimmers since 1923, Reuters reported.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • This was the first time Hollywood managed to deliver legitimately impressive moments of flight for the Man of Steel.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rivera is especially excited by the National Music Theater Conference this year since truly original work is developed there in contrast to the predominant commercial theater trend of basing musicals closely on classic movies or novels.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • That is clearly what happened in this redistricting in Louisiana where race was the predominant factor used to draw congressional boundaries.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Crisler, amid a dominant 10-0 season that finished No. 2 behind Notre Dame in the Associated Press poll, retired at the end of it to focus solely on being Michigan’s AD.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • Vaez says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a dominant, multipronged military force — may see this as an opportunity for change.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Ziegler, one of the world’s foremost experts on the history and law of reproductive rights in the U.S., draws on decades of scholarship.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Drowning is the No. 1 killer of children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14.
    Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025
  • Already euthanasia has become the 5th leading cause of death north of our border.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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