variants
also grandaddy
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the granddaddy of all English mystery novels
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
In the south of France this weekend, the granddaddy of fashion prizes—The Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography, and Accessories—marked its 40th anniversary by showcasing talents from around the world.
—
Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
The Munich Agreement The Munich Agreement – the deal that ceded the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler’s Germany in a bid to avert war in Europe — is the granddaddy of historical analogies.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
Then the old granddaddy of all the deer tribes came out of the thicket and followed the does.
—Chester Chatfield, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2025
The granddaddy of all junior surf contests, The Menehune contest was first held at the La Jolla Shores in 1965 and was won by a young girl, Margot Godfrey (Oberg), a future world champion.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
The Munich Agreement The Munich Agreement – the deal that ceded the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler’s Germany in a bid to avert war in Europe — is the granddaddy of historical analogies.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
Then the old granddaddy of all the deer tribes came out of the thicket and followed the does.
—Chester Chatfield, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2025
The granddaddy of all junior surf contests, The Menehune contest was first held at the La Jolla Shores in 1965 and was won by a young girl, Margot Godfrey (Oberg), a future world champion.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
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Manufactured between 1960 and 1980, Scouts were beefy 4x4s and a forerunner to the SUV.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
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With little support for the WHO among Republicans — who control both the House and the Senate — there has been no push from Congress to hold the country to the provision set out by their forerunners.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Staying on-site also puts guests inside a 19th-century estate tied to the Leacock family, British ancestors of the current owners, who helped pioneer Madeira wine’s trade with England and remained among the island’s major producers until 1925.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The researchers also said that the paintings were very likely created by people closely linked to the ancestors of Indigenous Australians.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Ars Technica reports, space startup Vast has opted to build a smaller and more feasible interim station, dubbed Haven-1, which will serve as the precursor for much larger outposts capable of continuous habitation in the more distant future.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
22 Jan. 2026
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The history of whiskey (also known as whisky) is commonly thought to have begun in the Middle Ages, but Robinson goes all the way back to the Neolithic era and the precursor of what would evolve into the pot still, and forward to the present day.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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