heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she 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
The president later named Vice President JD Vance his likely heir apparent while also proposing Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio team up for a future Republican ticket.
—
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025
While Kim's position as third-generation supreme leader affords him unquestioned command over the country, reports indicated he was forced to fight for this status, having been named heir apparent only a year before his father's death.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The best response to the disastrous news is to call up Painter, a blue-chip prospect whom team officials have envisioned as Wheeler’s heir apparent.
—Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
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.
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025
While Kim's position as third-generation supreme leader affords him unquestioned command over the country, reports indicated he was forced to fight for this status, having been named heir apparent only a year before his father's death.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The best response to the disastrous news is to call up Painter, a blue-chip prospect whom team officials have envisioned as Wheeler’s heir apparent.
—Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share