Crossword Genius

Is earlier pressure one exerts moving Society? (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pre-exists

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'is' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'earlier pressure one exerts moving society?' is the wordplay.
'earlier' says to take the initial letters (I've seen 'earliest of' mean this).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'moving' indicates an anagram (letters are moved around).
'society?' becomes 's' (common abbreviation in names of organisations).
The initial letter of 'pressure' is 'p'.
'i'+'exerts'='iexerts'
'iexerts' with letters rearranged gives 'reexist'.
'p'+'reexist'+'s'='PRE-EXISTS'

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I've seen this clue in The Times.
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