PRIOR TO Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

prior to

preposition

Definition of prior to

as in before

earlier than make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 to The two other sisters have decided to come two days prior to celebrate in a private party. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 In the 34 years prior to the Premier League’s founding in 1992, 13 teams won England’s First Division. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The website reports that 60 of the units had already been allocated prior to the event, and that the remaining 11 were gone within four hours of the unveiling. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026 In the two seasons prior to that, Western Illinois went winless, finishing 0-11. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior to

Preposition

But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Sima Sistani, who led WeightWatchers for close to three years before departing in 2024, is launching Liberation of Flowers, inspired by her Persian roots.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of before

Preposition

The six Bakersfield locations hosted their grand openings three weeks previous to last weekend’s openings.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Court papers say the note was written previous to his suicide and in connection with an earlier apparent suicide attempt.

— USA Today, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Definition of previous to

Preposition

From classic Amtrak routes crossing the Continental Divide to historic steam locomotives chugging through the state’s mining past, these journeys continue to preserve the stories, scenery and communities that helped shape the West.

— Jocelyn Rowley, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Investigators, legal experts, journalists and others tied to the case contribute first-hand testimony throughout the documentary.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of to

Browse Nearby Words

priority

prior to

priory

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior%20to. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prior to

preposition

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cogent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes