predated; predating; predates
: to prey on (something or someone)
Animals predate other animals in nature, but that is hardly commensurate with a massive worldwide farming industry that breeds species purely for our purpose.—
Jenny Diski
Jenny DiskiAre high-profile men that sexually predate women finally starting to lose immunity?—Alex McKinnon
Alex McKinnonAll cats may predate but those living indoors have little opportunity to do so.—Kevin Stafford
Kevin StaffordThere are many species that predate on pigeons and doves.—Revati
RevatiExamples of predate in a Sentence
Verb (1)
modes of transportation that predate the car
the native people who predated European settlers in America
Recent Examples on the Web
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2026
There is a Liberty Bell, a gift from King Louis XV of France, that predates the larger and more famous one in Philadelphia, and there’s an American story that predates America’s founding 250 years ago.
—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
However, what is now an ell at the rear of the house predates the main house, having been built in 1695 by Samuel Grant, who was the son of Matthew Grant, one of the original settlers of Windsor.
—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
The continuity of subject and species across the two projects speaks to the centrality of birds in American iconography—the Bald Eagle, for example, or the 50 state birds—which predates but was perpetuated by Audubon’s work.
—
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for predate
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Verb
The Traditional Latin Mass is the form of the Catholic liturgy that predates the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2026
There is a Liberty Bell, a gift from King Louis XV of France, that predates the larger and more famous one in Philadelphia, and there’s an American story that predates America’s founding 250 years ago.
—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
However, what is now an ell at the rear of the house predates the main house, having been built in 1695 by Samuel Grant, who was the son of Matthew Grant, one of the original settlers of Windsor.
—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
The continuity of subject and species across the two projects speaks to the centrality of birds in American iconography—the Bald Eagle, for example, or the 50 state birds—which predates but was perpetuated by Audubon’s work.
—
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for predate
Cite this Entry
“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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predate
verb
pre·date
(ˈ)prē-ˈdāt 
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
