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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
Horror anthologies are a tradition in British cinema, and this collection of bite-sized frights is the granddaddy of them all.
—
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.
—Alexa Stone
updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.
—Alexa Stone
updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
-
Captain America was introduced in December 1940 by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
And these projects may just be the forerunners.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Intelligent, tool-using species — including our direct ancestors — have been around for millions of years.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
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Uncovering an ancient ancestor At first, scientists thought the ancient microbial ancestor of complex life was a simple cell, dwelling in oxygen-free environments.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That means Coogler’s candidacy for best director is real, despite Anderson’s sweep of precursor awards.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
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Longmore noted that some of the complex molecules are thought to be precursors to amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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