PRIOR Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'prior' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prior are antecedent , anterior , foregoing , former , preceding , and previous . While all these words mean "being before," previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance. // a child from a previous marriage // a prior obligation

Q: In what contexts can 'antecedent' take the place of 'prior'?

While in some cases nearly identical to prior , antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation. // conditions antecedent to the revolution

Q: When might 'anterior' be a better fit than 'prior'?

Although the words anterior and prior have much in common, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order. // the anterior lobe of the brain

Q: When can 'foregoing' be used instead of 'prior'?

The meanings of foregoing and prior largely overlap; however, foregoing applies chiefly to statements. // the foregoing remarks

Q: When is it sensible to use 'former' instead of 'prior'?

The words former and prior can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter. // the former name of the company

Q: When is 'preceding' a more appropriate choice than 'prior'?

In some situations, the words preceding and prior are roughly equivalent. However, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place. // the preceding sentence

prior

adjective

ˈprī(-ə)r

Definition of prior

as in main

coming before all others in importance this assignment will be prior to any other work you may have

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in previous

going before another in time or order we've made prior arrangements

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prior are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, and previous. While all these words mean "being before," previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage

a prior obligation

In what contexts can antecedent take the place of prior?

While in some cases nearly identical to prior, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When might anterior be a better fit than prior?

Although the words anterior and prior have much in common, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When can foregoing be used instead of prior?

The meanings of foregoing and prior largely overlap; however, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of prior?

The words former and prior can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When is preceding a more appropriate choice than prior?

In some situations, the words preceding and prior are roughly equivalent. However, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

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 Her attorney also pointed to a prior lawsuit filed by a 62-year-old man who had suffered a traumatic brain injury after riding X2 with his two daughters in 2009, years before O’Neill ever boarded the attraction. — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 DeSantis hasn’t agreed to prior requests regarding executions from the conference. — Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 His prior credits include three movies based on the True to the Game novel by Teri Woods. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 And while Podziemski played all 82 games and Payton played 73, neither crossed the 70-game threshold the prior season. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior

Adjective

The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

The match against Rybakina will be her first at the WTA Tour level, having lost in the qualifying round earlier this year in Miami in her previous attempt.

— Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Burn scars on the landscape from previous wildfires can also rapidly funnel water into dangerous downslope torrents.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of previous

Adjective

Player of the Week Senior outside hitter Quinn Grevengoed tallies 92 kills and 15 aces in seven matches and then is named MVP for host Chicago Christian as Knights take tournament title for first time since 2014.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally).

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Alanna Rizzo is one of the foremost authorities on Major League Baseball.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

His once-dominant bat has gone quiet, leading to significant fan frustration, including boos at home games despite his excellent defense.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
At the time, Americans sipped one dominant style of beer, a light lager, sold by big breweries such as Coors and Anheuser-Busch.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominant

Adjective

Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Fast-forward to 2026, Thompson signed with the Heat 14 years later at 36 years old this offseason to help create space for the Heat’s new leading duo of Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo with his Hall of Fame-caliber outside shooting.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of leading

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prints

prior

prioress

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Style

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prior

adjective

Synonym Chooser

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Phrases Containing prior

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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