The word "precedes" means to come before or go in advance of something or someone. There are several synonyms that can be used in place of "precedes," depending on the context. Some of these synonyms include "leads," "comes first," "heads," "anticipates," "beats," "comes before," "foregoes," "paves the way," "preempts," "runs ahead," and "preludes." Each of these words can be used to convey the same meaning as "precedes." It is important to choose the appropriate synonym based on the context and emphasis required to demonstrate accurate communication. So, synonyms for the word "precedes" can be a useful tool to communicate more effectively.