preexisting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of preexistingnext
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.

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preexisting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of preexist
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
Adjective
The company also covers undetectable preexisting conditions, rust damage and improper installations. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 1 May 2026 Most producers have preexisting contracts with plastic suppliers. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 For example, if a Medicare Advantage plan withdraws from a market or leaves the Medicare program, its enrollees can qualify for a supplemental plan without being asked health questions or charged more for having preexisting conditions. — Julie Appleby, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 The employee, whose identity has not been revealed, had a preexisting medical issue and died, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preexisting
  1. previous
  2. preceding
  3. precedent
  4. initial
  5. original
Adjective
  • Awards and honors The show also included an in-memoriam tribute recognizing community members who had died during the previous year.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • While the soccer tournament boosted alcohol consumption, previous instances show that the rise is normally only temporary rather than the start of a new trend, Whyatt said.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Definition of previous
Verb
  • There was no red carpet and no separate cocktail receptions preceding the dinner.
    — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Benjamin Greger, a member of Burke's management team, and Louis Poimiroo, senior vice president of finance at his former music label, Interscope Records, discussed the money Burke was earning in the years preceding Rivas Hernandez's death.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 July 2026
Definition of preceding
Adjective
  • Their protections may have been further eroded with a precedent decision recently in which the Board of Immigration Appeals determined that DACA status alone is not enough to stop deportation.
    — Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
  • These tools can generate a first-draft NDA within seconds by drawing on vast training libraries of precedent agreements and current market standards.
    — AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of precedent
Adjective
  • Home-share staff members typically interview the individual parties, run background checks, verify incomes, coordinate initial phone calls and meetings, and mediate if problems later arise.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The initial construction of the mask’s mouth is impressive, with long studs and angled pieces to cleverly but accurately recreate the classic triangle.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • The sole violation against the original pair was for not reporting the relationship.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At the original location, an older Mexican woman stopped to read the family's story on the wall and began to cry.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of original

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Cite this Entry

“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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