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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preexisting
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
The Legislature injecting itself between two parties to rewrite preexisting contracts would create terrible precedent.
—Jay Neveloff, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Individuals with preexisting fatigue are more likely to have a TIA or a stroke, meaning fatigue is more likely to be found in those who have had a TIA or stroke than in the general population.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025
On Tuesday morning, an orange zone highlighted that the affected areas were experiencing particulate matter or ozone pollution levels in the 101-150 range, and thus were unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, older adults or those with preexisting conditions.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Adjective
Stan Kasten was inserted as team president, but preexisting general manager Ned Colleti and manager Don Mattingly maintained their posts all the way through the 2014 season.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
The Legislature injecting itself between two parties to rewrite preexisting contracts would create terrible precedent.
—Jay Neveloff, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Individuals with preexisting fatigue are more likely to have a TIA or a stroke, meaning fatigue is more likely to be found in those who have had a TIA or stroke than in the general population.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025
On Tuesday morning, an orange zone highlighted that the affected areas were experiencing particulate matter or ozone pollution levels in the 101-150 range, and thus were unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, older adults or those with preexisting conditions.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preexisting
Adjective
-
The two tablets share a similar design and many specs, while carrying over some features from previous generations.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
-
That increase was fueled largely by national revenue — television, licensing and sponsorship proceeds shared equally among the 32 franchises — which rose to an average of $433 million per team from $403 million the previous season, according to league executives.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster changes At a separate media preview preceding Destination D23, Disney revealed more details on the reimagining of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
At the Wilson County Fair preceding the race, new Plus membership sign-ups included free race tickets—effectively making the ticket value double the membership cost.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
-
This adaptation demands re-conceiving large chunks of plot from the ground-up while retaining Liu’s themes, not to mention visualizing concepts with less precedent onscreen than the fantasy tropes Martin deployed and subverted.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
After the initial outcry, Sanders continued jetting himself around the country.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Before The Beatles and before football came the docks, once the beating heart of Liverpool and the catalyst for the city’s initial growth and prosperity.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The sandwiches are named with references to art, such as the Van Gogh made with roast beef, fresh dill, Havarti cheese, sprouts and deli mustard on pumpernickel bread; or the hot Picasso made with savory meatballs, provolone cheese and Mama Cosenza’s original Italian sauce on an 8-inch baguette.—
Endia Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Edd Kimber, the original winner of The Great British Baking Show in 2010, has carved out a career in the food world after his victory.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share