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
The group's influence on K-pop's global expansion in the late 2000s and early 2010s is widely cited by industry observers as foundational, predating the BTS-era internationalisation of the genre by nearly a decade.
—
Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 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
Construction spanned several phases from around 3100 BC to 1600 BC — predating the first pyramid.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
In parts of northern Nigeria and Congo, cellular outages linked to fuel shortages predating the war have caused disruptions to services ranging from mobile money transactions to emergency communications.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Long before its life as a mountain retreat, this was Cherokee hunting grounds and later a trading post, predating both Brevard and the county itself.
—Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The fortifications on the southern and western sides stretch 1,312 feet long, predating the 1st-century legionary camp for which Vindonissa is famous.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Alaskan, then, was even a pioneer of pop-up pickup campers in general, predating other long-running innovators like Four-Wheel Campers by over a decade.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 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
Construction spanned several phases from around 3100 BC to 1600 BC — predating the first pyramid.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
In parts of northern Nigeria and Congo, cellular outages linked to fuel shortages predating the war have caused disruptions to services ranging from mobile money transactions to emergency communications.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Long before its life as a mountain retreat, this was Cherokee hunting grounds and later a trading post, predating both Brevard and the county itself.
—Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The fortifications on the southern and western sides stretch 1,312 feet long, predating the 1st-century legionary camp for which Vindonissa is famous.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Alaskan, then, was even a pioneer of pop-up pickup campers in general, predating other long-running innovators like Four-Wheel Campers by over a decade.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predating
preceding
Verb
-
The story came as a shock to the Danes—and to Bolton, who had spent the preceding weeks trying to figure out how to quietly warn the Danes himself.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
The active region that produced the eruption had already generated several powerful flares in the preceding days, prompting scientists to keep multiple solar observatories focused on the area.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predating. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
