predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

pre·​date (ˌ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates
Synonyms of predate

transitive verb

: antedate

predate

2 of 2

verb (2)

pre·​date pri-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates

transitive + intransitive

: to prey on (something or someone)
Animals predate other animals in nature, but that is hardly commensurate with a massive worldwide farming industry that breeds species purely for our purpose.—Jenny Diski
Are high-profile men that sexually predate women finally starting to lose immunity?—Alex McKinnon
All cats may predate but those living indoors have little opportunity to do so.—Kevin Stafford
There are many species that predate on pigeons and doves.—Revati

Synonyms of predate

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Verb (1)

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Examples of predate in a Sentence

Verb (1) modes of transportation that predate the car the native people who predated European settlers in America
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
That predates our ownership of the stock, which began in April. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 Venezuela government contracts Pulido, born in Bogotá in 1963, has a history that predates his emergence as one of the businessmen accused of profiting from Venezuela’s government contracting system. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Local politician Mohamed Mustafa described the divisions as predating the summer's border crisis. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Panay is known as an effusive onstage showman, making product launches a flashy, intimate affair that feels closer to Apple’s past legendary showcases than to the overwhelming Amazon events that predated him. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predate

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

back-formation from predator or predatory

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1854, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predate was in 1854

Rhymes for predate

See All Rhymes for predate

Browse Nearby Words

pre-Darwinianism
predate
predation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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