predate

verb

(ˌ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
Definition of predatenext
as in to precede
to go or come before in time gunpowder predated the invention of the gun by several centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of predate Agarwal’s technical background predates the current fascination with generative AI. — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Their decades-long friendship predates fame and has endured through years of creative collaboration in music, business ventures and personal milestones. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The Apology‘s pickup predates the hiring of Peter Rice, THR is told. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 Joke theft, a phenomenon predating the art form of stand-up comedy, has entered an uncanny new era. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predate
precede
Verb
  • Subsequent breakout attempts failed, preceding the sharp decline associated with the tariff tantrum.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The boldest declarations of solidarity, Lee knows, often precede the quietest and cruellest of betrayals.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of precede

Browse Nearby Words

predaceous
predate
predated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All