Synonyms for prior
ˈpraɪ ərpri·or

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. prior

   Antecedent may denote simple priority in time, implying no direct connection between that which goes before and that which follows; as, the striking of one clock may be always antecedent to the striking of another with no causal connection between them. Antecedent and previous may refer to that which goes or happens at any distance in advance, preceding is limited to that which is immediately or next before; an antecedent event may have happened at any time before; the preceding transaction is the one completed just before the one with which it is compared; a previous statement or chapter may be in any part of the book that has gone before; the preceding statement or chapter comes next before without an interval. Previous often signifies first by right; as, a previous engagement. Foregoing is used only of that which is spoken or written; as, the foregoing statements. Anterior, while it can be used of time, is coming to be employed chiefly with reference to place; as the anterior lobes of the brain. Prior bears exclusive reference to time, and commonly where that which is first in time is first also in right; as, a prior demand. Former is used of time, or of position in written or printed matter, not of space in general. We can say former times, a former chapter, etc., but not the former part of a garden; we should say the front part of the garden, the forward car of a train. Former has a close relation, or sharp contrast, with something following; the former always implies the latter, even when not fully expressed, as in Acts i, 1, and Eccles. vii, 10.

   Synonyms:
   antecedent, anterior, earlier, foregoing, former, forward, front, introductory, precedent, preceding, preliminary, previous

   Antonyms:
   after, concluding, consequent, following, hind, hinder, hindmost, later, latter, posterior, subsequent, succeeding

   Preposition:
   Such was the state of things previous to the revolution. [Previous to is often used adverbially, in constructions where previously to would be more strictly correct; as, these arrangements were made previous to my departure.]

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.3 / 6 votes

1. prior

   Synonyms:
   preceding, previous, former, antecedent, precedent, earlier, anterior, foregoing

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. prioradjective

   the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot

   Antonyms:
   subsequent

2. anterior, prior(a)adjective

   earlier in time

   Antonyms:
   subsequent

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. prioradjective

   Synonyms:
   former, preceding, previous, anterior, antecedent, precedent, foregoing, precursory

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. prioradjective

   Synonyms:
   previous, former, antedecent, anterior

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "prior":

   before, previous, advance, earlier, previously, preceding, former, ago, prerequisite, prerequisites, beforehand, prieur, pre-, ahead, preliminary, front, precondition, anterior, past, until, soon, pre-congress, screening-level, above, first, pre, avant, pre-award, formerly, forward, pre-requisite

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use prior in a sentence?

1. Rhonda Randall:

   That's a key indicator of somebody's socioeconomic status and a good predictor of how their overall health is going to be for the rest of their life. That childhood poverty measure decreased 6 % since the prior year.

2. Mitch McConnells:

   Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the President's nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled, senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the President's nominees.

3. Marcia Blackburn:

   You knew that releasing him with a GPS ankle bracelet wouldn’t protect the community because he had already illegally fired a gun while he was on GPS monitoring for a prior offense, your decision to release this criminal given his dangerous record and record of non-compliance was worse than reckless.

4. Andrew Brettler:

   We believe, however, that this is a baseless, non-viable and potentially unlawful lawsuit that plaintiff has filed against the Duke. There has been a settlement agreement that the plaintiff has entered into in a prior action that releases the Duke and others from any and all potential liability.

5. Mayor Pete:

   One of the reasons we're communicating upfront right now is because of lessons learned from members of the community, we've had prior cases of use of force incidents and officer involved shootings where I hesitated, frankly, to get in front of cameras because we didn't know very much, and it was out of our hands.