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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples 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
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Above that are observational studies that collect and analyze preexisting data in a systematic way.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
The doctored image is based on a preexisting popular photo of a young boy wearing a monkey costume while using an iPad in an Apple Store, which became popularized on the internet in the early 2010s.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Most did not have the option of doing their jobs from home and were more likely to suffer from preexisting conditions, such as obesity.
—Luis Alberto Moreno, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for preexisting 
Adjective
Now the school, which contains a mix of preexisting and new faculty and programs, is launching a two-year Master of Science in Climate.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Above that are observational studies that collect and analyze preexisting data in a systematic way.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
The doctored image is based on a preexisting popular photo of a young boy wearing a monkey costume while using an iPad in an Apple Store, which became popularized on the internet in the early 2010s.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Most did not have the option of doing their jobs from home and were more likely to suffer from preexisting conditions, such as obesity.
—Luis Alberto Moreno, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for preexisting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preexisting
Adjective
-
Harbaugh’s last contract extension was a three-year pact signed in 2022 ahead of the Ravens boss entering the final season of his previous deal.Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Riddle, whose boyfriend is tennis star Taylor Fritz, has been known to favor the monochrome shade at previous Grand Slam events.Hannah Malach, WWD, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
That of the preceding year was sloppy and chilly.Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
-
When holidays occur on weekends, most employers give workers the preceding Friday or the following Monday off.Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
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
-
Judge Barrett did not entirely embrace the notion of super-precedent.Jonathan Turley, WSJ, 15 Oct. 2020
Adjective
-
The initial court ruled in favor of Chylak in October 2024.Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025
-
After the flight from Cleveland, Mahomes headed to the Chiefs’ training facility for treatment and an initial flexibility assessment.Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Today, there are several variations of the original recipe, including one from former First Lady Laura Bush that includes cinnamon.Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Eurogamer reports that the console won't be ready to launch until April; this would be similar to Nintendo's strategy for the original Switch, which was announced in mid-January 2017 but not launched until March.Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near preexisting
Cite this Entry
“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share