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
Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
The appellate court said the attorney general had demonstrated probable cause to investigate and sue, citing public reports of malfeasance at the NRA that predated the investigation and ample evidence uncovered during it.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Bilton was bearing the brunt of a list of Pelley grievances that long predated his hiring.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
This prehistoric megalithic monument predates the first Egyptian pyramid.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
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Verb
Jackson was not at Neverland during the raid that predated his charges.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
The appellate court said the attorney general had demonstrated probable cause to investigate and sue, citing public reports of malfeasance at the NRA that predated the investigation and ample evidence uncovered during it.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Bilton was bearing the brunt of a list of Pelley grievances that long predated his hiring.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
This prehistoric megalithic monument predates the first Egyptian pyramid.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 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 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predate
verb
pre·date
(ˈ)prē-ˈdāt 
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