PREREQUISITE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

prerequisite 1 of 2

noun

Definition of prerequisite

as in requirement

something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else Citizenship is a prerequisite for voting. The introductory course is a prerequisite for the advanced-level courses. Having good credit is a prerequisite to applying for a loan.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

prerequisite

2 of 2

adjective

as in necessary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 prerequisite

Noun

Then proceed to more athletic plyometrics, making sure to note any prerequisites for each exercise. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Verified, domain-specific data is a prerequisite for responsible AI in finance. — Hugo Sarrazin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Exobiologists hoped to investigate these theories by looking for the prerequisite molecules for life, and perhaps even extraterrestrial microbes. — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2026 For early startup founders, analytics might feel like a distant worry—a need that has to be earned through prerequisite success, a problem for a bigger company. — Francois Lopitaux, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prerequisite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prerequisite

Noun

This can address key requirements of the world’s largest cruise vessels.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Any player in the Italian top flight who has a heart condition or has undergone related surgery must pass Serie A’s sporting fitness requirements before returning to play.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of requirement

Adjective

Hong Kong and central Chinese authorities say the laws were necessary to restore stability in the city after months of anti-government protests in 2019 that sometimes turned violent.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Had either or both left, then perhaps the Woltemade to Juventus deal would not have been necessary to secure Fernandez-Pardo.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of necessary

Noun

As the days grew longer, her quiet remained, her words reserved for necessity only.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Many in the industry are framing this recklessness as a necessity to prevent another country, China in particular, from creating a superintelligent AI system first.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of necessity

Adjective

Amendment is so essential to the American constitutional tradition, so methodical and so entire a conception of endurance through adaptation, that it can best be described as a philosophy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Neisen’s own childhood, spent on a corn and soy farm in South Dakota, made carving out some nature essential.

— Tanya Fevzi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of essential

Adjective

Most crucial to Barcelona’s long-term outlook is their success in refinancing the huge sums already borrowed to fund the project.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The timing of the Houthis’ escalation, which began with attacks on Saudi interests in July, is especially significant, given that the Red Sea has become a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for Saudi oil during the Iran war.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

But that undertaking, primarily fueled by private dollars, has been waylaid due to getting a needed booster flight-qualified.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Senior Trey Cooley, who transferred from Troy, and senior Jayden Limar, who ran for 262 yards last season at Oregon, provide needed depth.

— Andrew Destin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of needed

Browse Nearby Words

prep schools

prerequisite

prerequisites

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prerequisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prerequisite. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prerequisite

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes