prior to

Definition of prior tonext
as in before
earlier than make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 According to the probable cause statement, witnesses told investigators Donato had been engaged in a verbal argument with her neighbor and several others prior to the shooting. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026 The Phillies hired Thomson as the team’s bench coach prior to the 2018 season. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Jones first worked with Big Machine founder Scott Borchetta in 1997 on the opening of DreamWorks Nashville, prior to Dreamworks Records’ purchase by Universal Music in 2003. Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026 Hisham Abugharbieh with his hands raised prior to being taken into custody. Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior to
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior to
Preposition
  • The hearts and minds of Braves players were on Bobby Cox on a sunny evening at Dodger Stadium before the middle game of a three-game series against the Dodgers — a game that meant very little, considering the news of the day.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
  • Don't conflate climate — the science of averages — with weather forecasts three days before the eclipse.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
Preposition
  • Over the three seasons previous to 2025-26, the two men played 1,343 minutes together at five-on-five, scoring 4.51 goals per 60 with a 62 percent goal share.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Kent, originally from Sutton, graduated from the State Police Academy in 2022 and did not have a disciplinary record previous to this incident, the Herald previously reported.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Preposition
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 11 May 2026
  • The United States has agreed to provide a total of $38 billion in military aid to Israel from 2018 to 2028.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior%20to. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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