as in previous
existing at an earlier time; existing before something else
The insurance does not cover preexisting medical conditions. They made changes to the preexisting law.
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
as in preceding
to go or come before in time
an advanced Mesoamerican civilization whose apex and collapse preexisted the arrival of Europeans by hundreds of years
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Recent Examples of preexisting
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2026
This serum is ideal for anyone looking to target premature and preexisting signs of skin aging.
—Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2025
Like many other large businesses, J.M. Smucker also likely benefits from its scale and resources by using preexisting relationships with retailers to get products into stores across the country.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
Few people want to watch a topical show that’s not aligned with their preexisting political beliefs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Adjective
Cinch also covers unknown preexisting conditions, which many competitors exclude.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2026
This serum is ideal for anyone looking to target premature and preexisting signs of skin aging.
—Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2025
Like many other large businesses, J.M. Smucker also likely benefits from its scale and resources by using preexisting relationships with retailers to get products into stores across the country.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
Few people want to watch a topical show that’s not aligned with their preexisting political beliefs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preexisting
Adjective
-
The Atlanta-area native also went just 8-for-14 from the foul line in his latest homecoming after making 91% of his foul shots over his previous nine games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That could benefit a candidate like McAdams, who built a broad base during his previous campaign.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the preceding year, 65% failed to beat their S&P 500 benchmark.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Easter weather Easter Sunday — and the preceding Saturday — should hit 82 with lows around 73.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even when Disney brought back Ortega for their Descendants franchise in 2015 — a film about the children of Disney villains — IP took precedent time and time again above the story.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2026
-
That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The initial rally happened on June 14, a week after the uptick in immigration enforcement operations in LA County.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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At the time of the initial gun battle, the MacEgans were on an afternoon walk through a nearby field.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the rock star is a romantic individual who expresses some inner truth through original music, the idol is an omnicompetent interpreter of material.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Though the original clip is authentic, showing seven dogs wandering down the side of a highway in northeastern Jilin province, Chinese state media has since debunked the narrative of their escape and journey home.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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