heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance cannot be voided or undone except by exclusion under a valid will if the heir survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances
Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence
The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
Recent Examples on the Web
He was drafted 26th overall back in 2020 to be Rodgers' heir apparent.
—
Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The strongman leader broke precedent to remain head of the party and the state for a third term starting in 2022, and has so far avoided elevating an heir apparent.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
When King got to Texas A&M in 2020, Kellen Mond was a senior and King was the heir apparent, appearing in two games that season and becoming the starter in 2021.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The exhibition featured several designs, including pieces worn by Queen Mathilde, her eldest daughter and heir apparent Princess Elisabeth, as well as Queen Maxima.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
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Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The strongman leader broke precedent to remain head of the party and the state for a third term starting in 2022, and has so far avoided elevating an heir apparent.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
When King got to Texas A&M in 2020, Kellen Mond was a senior and King was the heir apparent, appearing in two games that season and becoming the starter in 2021.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The exhibition featured several designs, including pieces worn by Queen Mathilde, her eldest daughter and heir apparent Princess Elisabeth, as well as Queen Maxima.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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