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
Zelensky has agreed to meet Putin just about anywhere but Moscow, with no preconditions.
—
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
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
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preconditions
Noun
-
While countries such as Spain and clubs such as Barcelona train their young players for years using the same system, with the same positional requirements and following the same procedures, Germany jumps from trend to trend.—
Philipp Lahm,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Advertisement Henderson noted that 486 voters had registration information that was incomplete or inaccurate and that a third of that group registered decades ago, when the state did not have the same requirements.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Forego sterile minimalism and use this $14 two-pack of glass bottles for everyday everyday necessities like vitamins and mouthwash to be visible and within arm’s reach.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
-
People were detained on the basis of their appearance or accent, and the violent encounters on the streets made many residents afraid to go out even to purchase groceries or other basic necessities.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Within these areas, locally dense fog is likely that will further reduce visibility to near 0 at times resulting in hazardous driving conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Racing in perfect sunny conditions, Aicher had a near-flawless run on the challenging course, where only 37 of the 55 starters managed to complete their run.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And unfortunately, in all those cases, there are important prerequisites, the most important of which is serious organization.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Distance and safety became prerequisites for healing.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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