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
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
Established in 1833, Portsmouth Square is considered one of the oldest public spaces in San Francisco, predating much of the modern city.
—Maddie White, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The site was designated a federal reservation in 1832, predating Yellowstone National Park.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
There were, of course, non-Christian sources of human dignity that predated Christianity—Judaism is the most obvious and shining example; Stoicism another—but Christianity added immeasurably to them.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
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Verb
The slow starts long predate the Knicks’ first Finals’ appearance this century but were on full display in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
Established in 1833, Portsmouth Square is considered one of the oldest public spaces in San Francisco, predating much of the modern city.
—Maddie White, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The site was designated a federal reservation in 1832, predating Yellowstone National Park.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
There were, of course, non-Christian sources of human dignity that predated Christianity—Judaism is the most obvious and shining example; Stoicism another—but Christianity added immeasurably to them.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 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 16 Jun. 2026.
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predate
verb
pre·date
(ˈ)prē-ˈdāt 
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