as in preceding
to go or come before in time
gunpowder predated the invention of the gun by several centuries
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Recent Examples of predating
Cramps aren’t a new issue for Peterson — even predating his KU preseason cramping issues.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
The Sonoran desert has a long tradition of moonshine agave spirit production predating Prohibition.
—Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
Section 5200 has been on the books for many decades, predating the state’s current involuntary treatment law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which the Legislature enacted in 1967.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Pterosaurs dominated the skies more than 220 million years ago, predating the appearance of early bird relatives like Archaeopteryx.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
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
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
The Sonoran desert has a long tradition of moonshine agave spirit production predating Prohibition.
—Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
Section 5200 has been on the books for many decades, predating the state’s current involuntary treatment law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which the Legislature enacted in 1967.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Pterosaurs dominated the skies more than 220 million years ago, predating the appearance of early bird relatives like Archaeopteryx.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predating
preceding
Verb
-
The manager outlined his threat, having increased his interest in a player he, preceding that, had scant knowledge of.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
To that point, Lee stressed the importance of city names preceding a team name as a distinguishing factor.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predating. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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