prior to

preposition

Synonyms of prior tonext
: in advance of : before
Usage of Prior to

Although prior to is occasionally criticized as a pretentious way of saying before, it is well-established in formal contexts, such as the annual reports of corporations. In some of these contexts, it serves to emphasize the procedural nature of something.

page makeup decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting —Publishers Weekly

Synonyms of prior to

Relevance
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Examples of prior to in a Sentence

make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The panel ruled that remote work had functioned as an effective accommodation prior to his firing and that Billesdon failed to prove his disability directly caused his termination. — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 That was true as the number of syringes that were distributed by the needle exchange increased beyond levels prior to the ban. — Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 The location of his injury has led some to wonder if he’ll be hindered — Judge did slump for a few weeks while playing through pain prior to going on the IL — but Boone didn’t share those concerns on Tuesday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 All tickets include all food and beverage, and Eater app users will receive a discount code prior to purchase. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior to

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prior to was in 1706

Rhymes for prior to

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Browse Nearby Words

priorship
prior to
priory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prior to

preposition
: in advance of : before
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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