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
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
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
-
As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The committee floated a proposal to implement new requirements for where these businesses can be built in relation to each other, and to strengthen pre-existing requirements.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The price of household necessities rose in December over the previous month, even as inflation overall held steady.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Include the necessities first, like a comfy chair and a small coffee table, and add decor second.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Today’s pairs are built for all conditions, designed to carry you through long days without blisters or fuss, while still looking effortless.—
Erica Paige,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Fires will catch and spread rapidly under these conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jones said this week that being a former head coach, or even a former NFL defensive coordinator, wouldn’t be prerequisites for their next defensive coordinator.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Army listed no strict prerequisites.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconditions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconditions. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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