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
The backstory The Ranch Malibu is widely recognized as one of the original destination wellness retreats of its kind in the US, predating many high‑profile health hospitality brands and helping define the structured immersion model.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
The holiday, which marks the first day of spring, originated from the Zoroastrianism religion, predating Islam in Iran.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
They are estimated to have evolved around 500 million years ago, predating the age of dinosaurs by roughly 265 million years.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
The book features over 70 historical workwear garments—some predating the invention of modern blue jeans—and more than 350 photographs spanning cabinet cards, cartes de visite, real photo postcards, tintypes, and stereoscopic photo cards.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
Just as startling to contemporaneous readers was a description, predating Darwin by almost a decade, of the omnipresence of violence in nature.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
The holiday, which marks the first day of spring, originated from the Zoroastrianism religion, predating Islam in Iran.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
They are estimated to have evolved around 500 million years ago, predating the age of dinosaurs by roughly 265 million years.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
The book features over 70 historical workwear garments—some predating the invention of modern blue jeans—and more than 350 photographs spanning cabinet cards, cartes de visite, real photo postcards, tintypes, and stereoscopic photo cards.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
Just as startling to contemporaneous readers was a description, predating Darwin by almost a decade, of the omnipresence of violence in nature.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predating
preceding
Verb
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And the preceding year, 65% failed to beat their S&P 500 benchmark.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Easter weather Easter Sunday — and the preceding Saturday — should hit 82 with lows around 73.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predating. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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