prior to
In advance of
Prior to means before in time: Prior to the merger, the companies were rivals.
The phrase is slightly more formal than "before" and appears frequently in legal, academic, and business contexts.
Some consider it unnecessarily wordy when simple "before" would suffice.
Prior in time
- precedingComing before in order
- earlierAt a prior time
- previousOccurring before another
- antecedentSomething that precedes
foregoing · preliminary · advance · beforehand · formerly · previously · erstwhile · heretofore
Favored choice among alternatives
- seniorityRank from length of service
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
precedent · hierarchy · superiority · privilege · prerogative · first · foremost · paramount
Arranging for future events
- arrangingSystematically positioning elements
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- readinessState of being prepared
- setupHow something is arranged
preparation · provisioning · equipping · briefing · training · rehearsal · drafting · organizing
Belief about future outcomes
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- outlookAttitude toward the future
prediction · forecast · apprehension · suspense · awaiting · expecting · looking ahead · countdown
before
Prior in time
antecedent · foregoing · preliminary · advance · beforehand · formerly · previously · erstwhile · heretofore · aforementioned
preference
Favored choice among alternatives
- seniorityRank from length of service
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- primacyCondition of being foremost
preeminence · precedent · hierarchy · superiority · privilege · prerogative · first · foremost · paramount · preceding
planning
Arranging for future events
- arrangingSystematically positioning elements
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- readinessState of being prepared
setup · preparation · provisioning · equipping · briefing · training · rehearsal · drafting · organizing · scheduling
expectation
Belief about future outcomes
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
outlook · prediction · forecast · apprehension · suspense · awaiting · expecting · looking ahead · countdown · buildup
- compound prepositionsaccording to, because of, due to, instead of, out of
- formal wordshereby, herein, thereof, thereby, whereby
- sequence wordsfirst, second, third, next, fourth
- restrictorsonly, just, merely, solely, exclusively
prior toafter
Following in time
following · in the wake of · succeeding · post · ensuing
prime, prior, priority, prioritize, priorities, primo, prioritized, prioritizing, prioritise