Home / Thesaurus / Prior

Find the word that fits

Prior: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy

26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives

90,593 searchable synonym connections

350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type

Start with the meaning

Prior

Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →

49 useful connections shown 8 reviewed relationships and 41 broader connections.

Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 2

Antecedent 84% connected

Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words

Antecedent 84% connected

Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words

Broader term 1

Superior 76% connected

More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part of an image.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 4

Precedency 74% connected

The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Precedency 74% connected

The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Priorship 74% connected

The state or office of prior; priorate.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Priorship 74% connected

The state or office of prior; priorate.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 1

Anterior 92% connected

Before in time; antecedent.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.