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 Financial performance, shareholder returns, diversity, climate goals, and community impact have become performance indicators that CEOs were expected to meet—often exceeding prior benchmarks year after year. Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Study findings support prior research The idea that artificial sweeteners may be increasing hunger signals from the mammalian brain isn’t new — a prior study coauthored by Page found women and people with obesity were especially sensitive. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025 In a country where prior governments sometimes have been slow to accept foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar was ready to accept outside assistance. Time, 29 Mar. 2025 Eight teams have to get onto one court compared to four in the prior regionals, which requires some practice and shoot-around times to be early in the morning. Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
Adjective
  • The 9a's main camera takes 12MP images thanks to pixel binning, and the resulting shots are nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro's.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t Chelsea and the Premier League have previous on associated party transactions?
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Eric served District 2 from 2014 to 2018, and is perhaps most well-known for his attempts to ban Idaho courts from deciding cases based on Sharia law, despite no evidence of that happening, according to previous Statesman reporting.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The port has a heavy military presence in addition to being a primary hub for fuel imports, Yemeni sources said.
    USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Its new owner’s restoration and expansion project began in 2020, maintaining the character and materials of the original building while transforming attic space into a primary suite and opening the original attic staircase to the main floor.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The first baseman, playing in, then got Caballero in a rundown.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.
    Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Common cold and flu are hitting hardest, with influenza A the predominant strain.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Even with Harris included, no candidate holds a dominant lead – a contrast with other surveys that have shown her far ahead.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • From being drafted in the first round to somehow exceeding those expectations, Smith and Martin represented something much bigger than their dominant play on the field.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The midfielder is yet to win a trophy with Mikel Arteta’s side, but is playing a leading role in their quest for Champions League glory.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Callaghan will next be seen in a leading role opposite John Slattery in The Rainmaker series adaptation for USA Network and Peacock, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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