as in requirements
something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen
An education is an important precondition for getting a good job. They insist on a guarantee as a precondition to the deal.
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Recent Examples of preconditions
That division was visible earlier this week when plans for a second round of talks in Islamabad collapsed after Iranian officials failed to confirm participation and instead introduced new preconditions under pressure from hard-line factions.
—
Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The report said negotiations will begin only if the other side accepts Iran's preconditions.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Iranian preconditions But question marks hang over the ceasefire and the talks' ultimate outcome.
—Azhar Sukri,kevin Breuninger,terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceasefire announced by Trump on Tuesday night has been fragile, and both sides have accused the other of not meeting preconditions for the talks.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
And long-term, bat oils and droppings can stain a home and create preconditions for mold.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Those funds pay for emergency shelters, transitional housing and rapid rehousing programs – which provide temporary rental assistance and the assistance of a social worker, without preconditions – and permanent supportive housing.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
These are the best preconditions to introduce Name Tag, brought to you by Meta and Ray-Ban.
—Sarah Jeong, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
Zelensky has agreed to meet Putin just about anywhere but Moscow, with no preconditions.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The report said negotiations will begin only if the other side accepts Iran's preconditions.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Iranian preconditions But question marks hang over the ceasefire and the talks' ultimate outcome.
—Azhar Sukri,kevin Breuninger,terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceasefire announced by Trump on Tuesday night has been fragile, and both sides have accused the other of not meeting preconditions for the talks.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
And long-term, bat oils and droppings can stain a home and create preconditions for mold.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Those funds pay for emergency shelters, transitional housing and rapid rehousing programs – which provide temporary rental assistance and the assistance of a social worker, without preconditions – and permanent supportive housing.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
These are the best preconditions to introduce Name Tag, brought to you by Meta and Ray-Ban.
—Sarah Jeong, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
Zelensky has agreed to meet Putin just about anywhere but Moscow, with no preconditions.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preconditions
Noun
-
Both would be requirements in any potential fullback selection.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Under the Clean Slate Act, HB 1836, the state now has until 2029 to create, test and launch systems to automate the sealing of eligible low-level, nonviolent criminal records after an individual meets all requirements and remains crime-free for a sustained period.—
Brian Fabes,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some also raised concerns about access to food and other necessities during the extended wait.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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One way to alleviate this pain is to look for lower costs on necessities and essential expenses.—
Emily Canal,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gaza’s most dire conditions — the lack of food and medicine, continuing Israeli attacks, destroyed hospitals, schools and residential buildings, homelessness and overcrowding — now include rodents, climbing temperatures and open-air sewage.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
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The office is responsible for fiscal control over the disbursement and receipts of public dollars and issues regular reports on the financial conditions of local and state governments.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Justice Department, meanwhile, has lowered hiring prerequisites for some federal prosecutors.—
Eric Tucker,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Justice Department changes The Justice Department, meanwhile, has lowered hiring prerequisites for some federal prosecutors.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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