precede

/pɹiːˈsiːd/verb

To come or happen before something else in time, order, or position.

Example sentences

“A short speech preceded the award ceremony.”
“Lightning usually precedes thunder by a few seconds.”
“In the alphabet, M precedes N.”

Often passive: 'the meal was preceded by a toast'. Don't confuse it with 'proceed', which means to continue or go forward.

Synonyms for precede

come before
go before
predate
lead up to

Antonyms

follow
succeed

Often confused with precede

precede vs proceed: proceed (verb): To continue moving forward or to carry on with an activity.

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

Related words

ensueTo happen afterward, often as a result of something.preciseExact and correct in every detail.precariousUnstable and risky; likely to fail or fall at any moment.precludeTo make something impossible or rule it out in advance.prairieA vast, mostly treeless plain covered in grass, particularly the flatlands of North America.precociousDeveloping skills, interests, or maturity much earlier than is usual for a child.