preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous

A prior agreement prevents me from accepting this.

preceding in importance or privilege.

Informal . a prior conviction. ?

prior to

preceding; before

Prior to that time, buffalo had roamed the Great Plains in tremendous numbers.

adjective

after , later

adjective

above-mentioned , aforementioned , ahead , antecedent , anterior , before , foregoing , former , forward , past , precedent , preceding , preexistent , preexisting , previous , earlier , antedecent , erstwhile , precedential , precursory , preferential , preliminary , retroactive