pre-Socratic

adjective

pre-So·​crat·​ic ˌprē-sə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce pre-Socratic (audio)
-sō-
: of or relating to Greek philosophers before Socrates
pre-Socratic noun

Examples of pre-Socratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Recovering from writing a book about the pre-Socratic philosophers. — Teddy Wayne september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025 Motility is a defining quality of the soul, which has often been seen, since the pre-Socratics, as the starting point of motion in the body. — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 For me my personal disaffection with Indian and Islamic civilization was completed by my reading of Chinese philosophers, in particular Xun Zi, as well as the pre-Socratics of the Greeks. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pre-Socratic was in 1871

Rhymes for pre-Socratic

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Browse Nearby Words

presoak
pre-Socratic
presoma
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Cite this Entry

“Pre-Socratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-Socratic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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