predecease

verb

pre·​de·​cease ˌprē-di-ˈsēs How to pronounce predecease (audio)
predeceased; predeceasing
Synonyms of predeceasenext

transitive verb

: to die before (another person)

intransitive verb

: to die first
predecease noun

Examples of predecease 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.
He was predeceased by his only child, daughter, Lisa Palmere. — Charna Flam, Variety, 24 May 2023 The queen died of pneumonia in 1818 at age 74, predeceasing her husband by two years. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 May 2023 Turner no longer wanted to wail and lament like Mahalia Jackson and the R&B legends that predeceased her. — Taylor Crumpton, refinery29.com, 26 May 2023 Her husband, Frederick, Prince of Wales, predeceased his father King George II, so the line of succession skipped right to her son. — Town & Country, 7 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for predecease

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of predecease was in 1594

Rhymes for predecease

See All Rhymes for predecease

Browse Nearby Words

prede
predecease
predecessor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Legal Definition

predecease

transitive verb
pre·​de·​cease ˌprē-di-ˈsēs How to pronounce predecease (audio)
predeceased; predeceasing
: to die before (another person)
when the child predeceases the parent

More from Merriam-Webster on predecease

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for predecease

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