as in previous
going before another in time or order
I'd like to follow up on an antecedent question from another reporter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cause
someone or something responsible for a result
what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the typewriter is the antecedent of the computer keyboard
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antecedent
Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024
Relaxed high-altitude winds, the spreading of air aloft and the presence of an antecedent tropical wave all made for the formation of a hurricane — but record-warm water temperatures, reminiscent of September, helped transform the storm into a top-tier tempest.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Polish-born and Paris-based, Piotr Kamler is an experimental animator whose work explores temporal distortions and spatial paradoxes, conjuring here a slow-creeping sense of entrapment intensified by an unnerving soundscape—a clear antecedent to Barker’s nightmarish visions.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Adjective
Responsible purchasing is antecedent to fair and equitable decarbonization in the supply chain.
—Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024
Relaxed high-altitude winds, the spreading of air aloft and the presence of an antecedent tropical wave all made for the formation of a hurricane — but record-warm water temperatures, reminiscent of September, helped transform the storm into a top-tier tempest.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Noun
Research suggests disengagement isn't simply the absence of engagement but a distinct psychological state with its own antecedents and consequences.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Polish-born and Paris-based, Piotr Kamler is an experimental animator whose work explores temporal distortions and spatial paradoxes, conjuring here a slow-creeping sense of entrapment intensified by an unnerving soundscape—a clear antecedent to Barker’s nightmarish visions.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedent
Adjective
-
The skid is a new season-long, surpassing two previous six-game losing streaks — all of which have come since the calendar turned to July.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Gordon’s previous three starts were a disaster, with 24 runs (23 earned) allowed in 10 1/3 innings.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jenner said that data around how many students were given good cause exemptions and met one of the other exceptions for being passed to the fourth grade would be released on the state’s third-grade reading dashboard around Oct. 1.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
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Another cause for the right’s recent cultural reign is the rise of content creators such as the Nelk Boys, pranksters turned life-style influencers who have made conservatism seem, to their audience, edgy and cool.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Previously Fefferman was a key player at Radius, the indie-film company co-founded by Tom Quinn that was a forerunner to his highly successful banner Neon.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
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Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Our harsh winters and gorgeous summers reminded our ancestors of home.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The small, rugged truck crossed over into civilian use and is the ancestor of the off-road vehicles and SUVs that patrol suburbs and ferry kids to the frontlines of soccer games.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The orientation meeting Monday was a precursor to the launch of The Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope, or FAITH, a pilot program that will have religious leaders and volunteers present at San Diego’s immigration court to offer spiritual support, comfort and prayer to those who need it.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The Paper looks much more earnest and much less funny than its predecessor.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Save for a brief stint as a researcher at a European competitor, Jonas has been with Morgan Stanley (and predecessor firm Dean Witter) since graduating from college, eventually working his way up to leading the bank's coverage of the automobile industry.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antecedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedent. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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