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
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
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
-
The Transit Alliance estimates that, in Miami-Dade alone, parking requirements mandate roughly a half-million more parking spaces than are actually needed.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The law was never intended to punish disaster victims, and rigid interpretations that ignore real-world rebuilding requirements undermine both equity and public trust.—
Jeffrey Prang,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Palestinians in Gaza who spoke with the AP in recent weeks questioned whether the ceasefire's next steps will improve conditions, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and ongoing challenges in securing basic necessities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Palestinians in Gaza who spoke to The Associated Press in recent weeks questioned whether moving into phase two of the ceasefire will improve conditions on the ground, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and challenges securing basic necessities.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cancellations at the Atlanta airport More than 10,000 flights across the country have been canceled as airports manage the harsh conditions caused by the storm.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Robert had been invited to climb it as part of the building’s official public opening, but conditions were far worse that day, with rain and heavy winds – making his climb four hours long, compared to Honnold’s one and a half hours.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Staying healthy is one of the crucial prerequisites to climbing onto the podium.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But if your prerequisites for a dreamy getaway entail an intimate enclave where famous artists once dined and stayed, all roads lead to La Colombe d’Or.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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