PREEXISTING Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

preexisting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of preexisting

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

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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

Adjective

The match against Rybakina will be her first at the WTA Tour level, having lost in the qualifying round earlier this year in Miami in her previous attempt.

— Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Burn scars on the landscape from previous wildfires can also rapidly funnel water into dangerous downslope torrents.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of previous

Verb

Both companies will deliver results on the heels of rivals that raised the bar, with Nvidia preceding Broadcom and CrowdStrike as the appetizer for Palo Alto.

— Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
In fact, the clip immediately preceding the track footage is from a strip club.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 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

Yoshikazu Tsuno | Afp | Getty Images Japan's startup and initial-public offering scenes may get a boost from a new trading platform that will help unlisted companies raise capital.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The initial offering will include more than 200 titles across popular genres including romance, billionaire romance, fantasy and family drama, with a wide selection of titles available with Indonesian dubbing and subtitles.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

The shop’s mascot, a rabbit, is named Lewis, after the original Lewis & Duncan grocery store that once inhabited the building.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Historic Preservation Commission members voted Thursday to approve exterior changes to the mansion’s original design plan as the building, now more than a century old, undergoes restoration and renovation as part of a new residential development.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

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“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preexisting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of preexisting

adjective

verb

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