variants
also grandaddy
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the granddaddy of all English mystery novels
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
The granddaddy of the city’s culinary scene isn’t some starchy, white-tablecloth restaurant, though.
—
Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Then there’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the granddaddy of the major indices.
—Moneyshow, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Now, there is (to our knowledge) no official record — there is certainly no official method for timing applause — but it’s roundly considered that Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth is the granddaddy of them all at 22 minutes.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Then there’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the granddaddy of the major indices.
—Moneyshow, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Now, there is (to our knowledge) no official record — there is certainly no official method for timing applause — but it’s roundly considered that Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth is the granddaddy of them all at 22 minutes.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
-
Such cooperative behavior to defend from predators like raptors may have first evolved in our ancestors.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
-
The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Little vs. Hecox, which began in 2020 when Idaho became a forerunner for states with laws that ban trans athletes in women's and girls' sports.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 July 2025
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For some years, the Octagon was home to Ohio’s militia, a forerunner to today’s National Guard; during the summer, soldiers would erect tents and practice training exercises.—
Kevin Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
Noun
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That’s one of the challenges that Gearbox confronted when developing Borderlands 4 (out Sept. 12), a sequel that’s due to arrive in a very different gaming landscape than its predecessor.—
Jonathan Zavaleta,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
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Alas, the rest of moisturizer is serious, almost subdued, at least compared with its rollicking predecessor.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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