prewar

adjective

pre·​war ˌprē-ˈwȯr 

variants or pre-war

: occurring or existing before a war and especially before World War II

prewar conditions

the prewar era/period/years

the country's prewar population

prewar levels of industrial production

an apartment in a prewar building

Examples of prewar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maritime tracking firm Kpler said this week that oil exports from the region surpassed prewar levels last week, despite ongoing attacks on ships in the strait. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Singh now yearns for prewar fuel prices of $4 per gallon, when filling up the tank cost $1,200. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Sharif’s government says the subsidies are intended to help low-income motorists buy gasoline at prewar prices. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Oil drops as Hormuz traffic rebounds Oil prices fell as new data showed crude exports from the Middle East surpassed prewar levels, though any respite may be short-lived as attacks on tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz increased. — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prewar

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

prewar

adjective

pre·​war

ˈprē-ˈwȯ(ə)r

: occurring or existing before a war