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 On its fiscal 2026 first-quarter earnings call in October 2025, CFO Amy Hood said its capital expenditure growth rate in that fiscal year would exceed that of the prior year. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Notifying our offices on the day the decision was made public, without prior conversations or an opportunity to understand the rationale and explore potential solutions, is unacceptable. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 That topped a prior mark held by George Strait for a decade before that. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026 Some plans are also adding utilization requirements, such as prior authorization. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prior

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior

Adjective

Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

The record set last year was nearly double the previous high.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of previous

Adjective

The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.

— Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of primary

Adjective

Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The model became the first real hit in the emerging athletic shoe industry.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

The defense team plans to employ Othram to conduct a Y-STR test, a method that isolates DNA from the Y chromosome to generate a profile of a male contributor in samples where female DNA is predominant.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
There are two predominant rumors about how a wild herd ended up in the Inland Empire, Spasojevic said.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of predominant

Adjective

One man who always has a lot to say is Josh Pate, the college football commentator who started from humble beginnings and is now one of the foremost voices in the sport.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
If aesthetics is the foremost priority, Lulu and Georgia offers office furniture that would look more at home in an interior design studio than a corporate high-rise.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of foremost

Adjective

The result is one of the most quietly dominant competitive positions in modern industry.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Georgia looked dominant in the opening minutes, even after Stockton had to leave after hitting the field helmet-first on the first play of the game.

— Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominant

Adjective

Val Kilmer was a brilliant character actor who looked like an absolutely gorgeous, dynamic leading man; to me, that is Glen.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
This is especially important — breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American women.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of leading

Browse Nearby Words

prints

prior

prioress

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prior

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of prior

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing prior

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes