prior

adjective

ˈprī(-ə)r How to pronounce prior (audio)
Definition of priornext
1
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
2
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 However, big gains can follow sharp reversals – but how has LRCX behaved after prior drops? —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 All of Taylor Frankie Paul’s prior reality-TV work has been centered on friendship drama, motherhood, and navigating the turmoil of a toxic relationship. —Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025 Over that time frame, the BLS said 911,000 fewer jobs were added compared to prior estimates. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 The before-and-after photos are striking, demonstrating just how much some of these crafty, keen-eyed parents — most of whom have no prior design experience — can make of the drab dorm layout that greets students on move-in day. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
  1. main
  2. previous
  3. primary
  4. first
  5. predominant
  6. dominant
  7. foremost
  8. leading
Adjective
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In July, a judge said Decarlos Brown might not be mentally capable of understanding previous charges against him.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The two sides reached terms on a renewal after a short-term extension to their previous pact, averting a blackout of Fox News and other nets on YouTube TV.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of previous
Adjective
  • Given the steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access, hand crews and aviation resources will remain the primary suppression tools.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Charlotte voters will finalize their primary picks for mayor and City Council on Tuesday.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Kirsten Obstacles and my first realisations about society's stereotypical attitudes toward motherhood, being a mother, and being an artist and mother quickly led me to take action.
    — Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The high-energy track, which blends old school hip-hop vibes with rock elements, marks the first time a virtual group has ever produced a song and direct choreography for an audition survival series.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of first
Adjective
  • Advertisement Lee grew up near Manchester’s Christ Church of the Church of England, but struggled to understand their beliefs, never fitting in with the predominant religion.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Should contempt become the predominant way that two partners communicate with one another, one or both will eventually reach a breaking point.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • In the past year, tariffs, AI, and changing consumer sentiments have made once-dominant companies reshuffle their growth strategies.
    — Charlotte Hu, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Then there is the Carnegie, which has become a dominant force in summer entertainment with its excellent summer series.
    — David Lyman, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.
    — Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Second quarter 2025 billings registered a 3% quarter-over-quarter expansion supported by the leading-edge logic, advanced high bandwidth memory (HBM) related DRAM applications, as well as increase in shipments to Asia.
    — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Someone else Johansson would love to see on SNL this season is her Eleanor the Great leading lady.
    — Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of leading

Phrases Containing prior

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prints
prior
prioress
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Cite this Entry

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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