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.
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Examples of prior to in a Sentence
Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
The actual number of affected veterans is likely much higher because researchers were not able to access data prior to 2013 due to VA system changes, Stephanie Rennane, the study’s lead author, said.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 4 July 2024
Deadline revealed prior to this year’s MIPTV that the market would be shutting down and moving to London, to run concurrent with the London TV Screenings.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 July 2024
Tenants of the troubled Independence Towers apartment building started their week coping with the chaos of a fire, and finished it in negotiations with their new landlord, just prior to learning a fellow resident was charged with arson.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for prior to 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prior to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Prior to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prior%20to. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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