granddaddy

noun

ˈgran-ˌda-dē How to pronounce granddaddy (audio)
variants also grandaddy
Definition of granddaddynext
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed the granddaddy of all English mystery novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of granddaddy Yet now the granddaddy of philanthropic sporting events is being replaced by a sport actually popularized by granddaddies — pickleball. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026 The Mimslyn Inn, a member of the Historic Hotels of America, is the granddaddy of all Luray lodging. — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026 But some years, the granddaddy of all entertainment awards shows has had a distinctly Bay Area resonance. — Culture Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026 Michaels called his final and record-tying 11th Super Bowl and was replaced by Mike Tirico on NBC, while the granddaddy contract of them all, Tom Brady’s $375 million monster, was inked. — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
  1. forerunner
  2. ancestor
  3. precursor
Noun
  • Margaret and Alice are the forerunners of Lucy and Ethel, and Shakespeare’s comedy, written expressly to entertain, gives us a sense of what an Elizabethan-era situation comedy might look like.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • One of the forerunners today in Madeira and the Azores is António Maçanita from Azores Wine Company.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of forerunner
Noun
  • While Silicon Valley has since moved on to shaping the future of artificial intelligence, these hardware enthusiasts are intent on saving the Atari, Commodore and IBM machines that are ancestors to today’s laptops, wearable devices and smartphones.
    — Terry Chea, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Long before dinosaurs ruled the continents and modern crocodiles first appeared, their ancestors were already going through a decisive phase in their evolutionary history.
    — The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of ancestor
Noun
  • That facility is described as a precursor to the larger Terafab project.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Exhibits will include original equipment, Cold War archives, veterans’ oral histories, and a rare early ARPANET system—a precursor to today’s internet.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of precursor

Browse Nearby Words

granddaddies
granddaddy
grande dame
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Cite this Entry

“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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