Precedent and Prior

Precedent

Precedent adjective - Going before another in time or order.
Usage example: behavior that may be explained by a precedent event in her troubled life

Prior is a synonym for precedent in time topic. In some cases you can use "Prior" instead an adjective "Precedent", when it comes to topics like precede, preceding. popular alternative

Prior

Prior adjective - Going before another in time or order.
Usage example: we've made prior arrangements

Precedent is a synonym for prior in time topic. You can use "Precedent" instead an adjective "Prior", if it concerns topics such as anterior, precede, earlier. rare substitute
Cite this Source
Prior and Precedent. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 07, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/precedent/prior
Precedent & Prior. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/precedent/prior>.
Prior or Precedent. 2016. Accessed August 07, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/precedent/prior.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "precedent" and "prior" have occurred on timeline