precede

verb

1. be earlier in time; go back further

   verb.stative

   Examples

   Stone tools precede bronze tools.

   Synonyms antecede antedate forego forgo predate

   Antonyms follow postdate

   Source: WordNet 3.0

2. come before

   verb.stative

   Examples

   Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify.

   Synonyms predate

   Source: WordNet 3.0

3. be the predecessor of

   verb.social

   Examples

   Bill preceded John in the long line of Susan's husbands.

   Synonyms come before

   Antonyms come after follow succeed

   Source: WordNet 3.0

4. move ahead (of others) in time or space

   verb.motion

   Synonyms lead

   Antonyms follow

   Source: WordNet 3.0

5. furnish with a preface or introduction

   verb.communication

   Examples

   She always precedes her lectures with a joke.

   Synonyms introduce preface premise

   Source: WordNet 3.0

6. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything.

   verb

   Source: webster1913