as in preceding
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 predating
Finally, Stone Hill Winery, was established way back in 1847, predating Napa.
—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
There has been a rise in anti-Jewish hostility in Britain, predating the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that started two years ago, according to community groups and the people suffering the firsthand effects in the United Kingdom.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
The Next Generation is divisive among fans but has aged strangely well, predating the legacy sequel craze by decades (Marilyn Burns’ Sally briefly returns).
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Despite all the recent tech wealth and tech jobs and development growth, Seattle’s creative community has shrunken, a trend long predating COVID.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Far predating meticulous records, the war sprawled across the civilian populations of many nations.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The song goes back to 1965, predating my first reading of the script in 1985.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
There has been a rise in anti-Jewish hostility in Britain, predating the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that started two years ago, according to community groups and the people suffering the firsthand effects in the United Kingdom.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
The Next Generation is divisive among fans but has aged strangely well, predating the legacy sequel craze by decades (Marilyn Burns’ Sally briefly returns).
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Despite all the recent tech wealth and tech jobs and development growth, Seattle’s creative community has shrunken, a trend long predating COVID.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Far predating meticulous records, the war sprawled across the civilian populations of many nations.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The song goes back to 1965, predating my first reading of the script in 1985.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predating
preceding
Verb
-
Ladd was married three times, her final husband Robert Charles Hunter preceding her in death earlier this year.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
An invite-only audience of industry voters will attend, with a cocktail reception preceding the panel discussions.—
Whitney Cinkala,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predating. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share