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
-
Still, broad bipartisan majorities support photo ID requirements, according to recent polling by Pew Research Center.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The missive comes as Florida enforces a sweeping ban on gender-affirming care for minors and dismantles traditional accreditation requirements for lawyers and universities.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Debate grows in Miami Cuban Americans in Miami who have been helping their relatives on the island by paying for medicines, food and other necessities to be delivered to them in the country will see their options shrink fast too.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Koch told senators that the IURC already allows for two 10-day periods without disconnection for those with medical necessities.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wading conditions were excellent, but ultra-low water also complicated the fishing.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With Yemen challenged by the social and economic effects of a sporadic but ongoing civil war between Houthi rebels and the central government, conditions have proven difficult for Almatrahi and his family members to visit their homeland.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Distance and safety became prerequisites for healing.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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