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 woman, whose identity remained anonymous, also reportedly spoke out against Johnston in court for the first time prior to his sentencing Friday.
—
Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Ideally, just as in a nominal crew turnover, NASA would prefer to launch Crew-12 prior to Crew-11's departure.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis Police Department said there is nothing to indicate that Good was the target of any law enforcement investigation or activity prior to the shooting.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2026
Spoelstra on Herro Spoelstra did address Herro in his Thursday comments prior to the postponement, when asked about Herro’s seeming displeasure in being utilized as a reserve in the loss to the Timberwolves.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prior to
Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Ideally, just as in a nominal crew turnover, NASA would prefer to launch Crew-12 prior to Crew-11's departure.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis Police Department said there is nothing to indicate that Good was the target of any law enforcement investigation or activity prior to the shooting.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2026
Spoelstra on Herro Spoelstra did address Herro in his Thursday comments prior to the postponement, when asked about Herro’s seeming displeasure in being utilized as a reserve in the loss to the Timberwolves.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prior to
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior to
Preposition
-
Scientists tracking humpbacks off the coast of Australia have captured rare footage that shows clutches of the freeloading fish peeling away from their host in what looks like a high-speed game of chicken, just moments before the whale breaches.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Preposition
-
Scott Cooper had offered me a movie previous to Deliver Me from Nowhere.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 July 2025
-
Researchers tested this process, known as photothermal catalysis, in the laboratory using a simulant based on samples of lunar regolith returned to Earth by China's Chang'e 5 mission (the lunar samples are far too previous to destroy in such experiments, which is why a simulant is used instead).—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 July 2025
Preposition
-
Johnson said that the animal caused extensive damage to his home, costing tens of thousands of dollars.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Joshua School does not have access to the bus video or activities that occur on the bus.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior%20to. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share