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 Attendees paid tribute to Connaughton, who was the university’s longest-serving faculty member prior to his death at the age of 78 on June 24. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 But prior to making a name for himself in Hollywood, Cruise worked a number of odd jobs, including being a superintendent's assistant in New York City, working on daily maintenance of a building. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Taking steps to improve your credit score makes sense prior to applying for a mortgage. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 23 Sep. 2026 Kansas Athletics will name its court in Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena after legendary coach Ray Bechard in a ceremony held prior to Friday’s Big 12 opener against Houston, it was announced Wednesday. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior to
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior to
Preposition
  • Get a bottle of wine from the Kinderhook Bottle Shop to enjoy on the inn porch before dinner at the Mediterranean small-plate restaurant Isola (which even offers a discount for guests of the inn).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Local authorities carried out regular inspections before granting the occupancy permit.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Preposition
  • See the top 10 At those intersections in particular, there were a high number of accidents previous to the roundabouts.
    — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The six Bakersfield locations hosted their grand openings three weeks previous to last weekend’s openings.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Preposition
  • The State Department issued a caution warning to Americans in the Middle East on Saturday night after Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a ballistic missile at an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026
  • On Friday, another militia group aligned with Iran – this one based in Iraq – launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s vital East-West oil pipeline to the coast, forcing its closure.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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