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
While this market has those preconditions—a revolutionary technology and spectacular profit growth—the cycle has not yet reached the terminal phase where insiders rush for the exits.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
The idea arose when, as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western artists began to write and create art about the preconditions and reasons behind Russia’s actions.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Qatar has hosted multiple rounds of talks since April between the Congo and M23, mainly to set preconditions for a peace deal and agree on confidence-building steps, but both sides still accuse each other of violating peace terms and fighting has continued.
—CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Trump is fully capable of spinning a narrative that would claim one of those preconditions, even while having no resemblance to the truth.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Build Preconditions First Start with the preconditions.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
However, the late Tuesday decision handed down by Judge Amit Mehta, who has been overseeing the Google Search antitrust trial, prevents Alphabet from paying for contracts with preconditions such as making its Google Search the exclusive search option.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The first step—which could be agreed in days—is an immediate cease-fire along current front lines, without any preconditions or promises beyond starting talks.
—Miriam Sapiro, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
The White House quickly shifted away from its preconditions for the meeting.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
The idea arose when, as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western artists began to write and create art about the preconditions and reasons behind Russia’s actions.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Qatar has hosted multiple rounds of talks since April between the Congo and M23, mainly to set preconditions for a peace deal and agree on confidence-building steps, but both sides still accuse each other of violating peace terms and fighting has continued.
—CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Trump is fully capable of spinning a narrative that would claim one of those preconditions, even while having no resemblance to the truth.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Build Preconditions First Start with the preconditions.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
However, the late Tuesday decision handed down by Judge Amit Mehta, who has been overseeing the Google Search antitrust trial, prevents Alphabet from paying for contracts with preconditions such as making its Google Search the exclusive search option.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The first step—which could be agreed in days—is an immediate cease-fire along current front lines, without any preconditions or promises beyond starting talks.
—Miriam Sapiro, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
The White House quickly shifted away from its preconditions for the meeting.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preconditions
Noun
-
Most fraternities maintain academic standards that exceed university requirements including minimum GPAs for membership, officer positions and social events.—
Anthony V. Mack,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Fidelity Investments Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.—
David McMillin,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, by resisting rate cuts, Powell guards against inflation, which disproportionately affects working people who spend most of their income on necessities such as groceries and rent.—
Annelise Riles,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Customers will also find necessities such as threads, stretcher bars, tacks, scissors and a selection of self-finishing items.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic counts were taken during off-peak periods that do not reflect summer park use or event conditions, and core operational assumptions — shuttle volumes, curb capacity, pedestrian crossings, and rideshare demand — remain unvalidated by independent analysis.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The combination of strong, gusty winds near the coast will create near blizzard conditions, which will greatly reduce visibility and cause dangerous conditions late Saturday and overnight.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But experiencing failure and learning to recover from it are prerequisites for long-term success and, crucially, for mental health.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Staying healthy is one of the crucial prerequisites to climbing onto the podium.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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