Usage of Prior to
Sometimes termed pompous or affected, prior to is a synonym of before that most often appears in rather formal contexts, such as the annual reports of corporations. It may occasionally emphasize the notion of anticipation.
page makeup decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting
—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Examples of prior to in a Sentence
make sure all revisions are approved by the author prior to publication
Recent Examples on the Web
However, that doesn't mean the team doesn't need improvements prior to the trade deadline and a certain insider believes that could come in the form of a starting pitcher.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
Just prior to that, Mordecai completed back-to-back boundary throws to Watkins and tight end Brayden Willis, the latter of whom had a team-high four receptions this practice.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Employees interviewed stated that this was an isolated event and that there were no thermal events prior to or after to their knowledge.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior to
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.
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
Just prior to that, Mordecai completed back-to-back boundary throws to Watkins and tight end Brayden Willis, the latter of whom had a team-high four receptions this practice.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Employees interviewed stated that this was an isolated event and that there were no thermal events prior to or after to their knowledge.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior to
Cite this Entry
“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share