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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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
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025
These limited effects were more common in people with preexisting ulceration or when salt solutions were administered at the same time as a hydrogen peroxide rinse.2
Benefits of Gargling with Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, colorless liquid compound with no odor.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The National Weather Service is in worse shape than previously known, according to interviews with current and former meteorologists, due to a combination of layoffs, early retirements and preexisting vacancies.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Each time, agencies added new capabilities to a preexisting model—more onto what already existed, instead of considering it all again.
—Abigail Stuart, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Adjective
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
These limited effects were more common in people with preexisting ulceration or when salt solutions were administered at the same time as a hydrogen peroxide rinse.2
Benefits of Gargling with Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, colorless liquid compound with no odor.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The National Weather Service is in worse shape than previously known, according to interviews with current and former meteorologists, due to a combination of layoffs, early retirements and preexisting vacancies.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Each time, agencies added new capabilities to a preexisting model—more onto what already existed, instead of considering it all again.
—Abigail Stuart, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preexisting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preexisting
Adjective
-
Santa Marta also showed a 22.7% increase in international arrivals over the previous year, third among all Colombian cities in terms of the most rapid growth from abroad.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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This year's Run for the Roses also drew in the highest ever average viewership with nearly 18 million viewers, which is up 6% from the previous year.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In seven preceding episodes, Season 3 zoomed in on the insecurities, selfishness, and devious choices of a wide-ranging ensemble cast.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In the weeks preceding the announcement, many families paused to evaluate how their portfolio companies may be impacted by tariffs, according to Vicki Odette, partner at Haynes Boone.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
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That’s because precedent changes in small but important ways all the time.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
During these conversations, my students expressed views that reaffirmed their initial survey choices, finding that AI wasn’t great for first drafts, but potentially useful in the pre- or post-writing stages of brainstorming and editing.—
Piers Gelly
July 28,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
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So the lawyers got involved, Marinakis dug in his heels, and once the initial anger had subsided, the charm offensive began to persuade Gibbs-White to stay.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
My original intent was that people would partner with us.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
-
Now, after flash floods earlier this month killed at least 135 Texans in the Hill Country, the bill’s original authors are hoping Abbott will give the proposal a second look.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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