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
Vans brand has struggled for years, predating Darrell’s arrival.
—
Alexa Lomonaco,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
His 2017 book Why Buddhism Is True describes his engagement with Buddhism as a long personal journey predating the book itself, rooted in his earlier work on evolutionary psychology.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Researchers believe the 5,000-year-old site may represent a Stonehenge prototype, predating the famous stone alignment by around 500 years.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 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
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
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
Alexa Lomonaco,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
His 2017 book Why Buddhism Is True describes his engagement with Buddhism as a long personal journey predating the book itself, rooted in his earlier work on evolutionary psychology.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Researchers believe the 5,000-year-old site may represent a Stonehenge prototype, predating the famous stone alignment by around 500 years.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predating
preceding
Verb
-
However, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, it’s observed on the preceding Friday.
-
The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent.
Cite this Entry
“Predating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
