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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
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
Every year since 2003, the umbrella organization for quizzing outfits around the globe has put on the granddaddy of knowledge competitions.
—Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
But for real chills and scares, the granddaddy The Blair Witch Project still is the crown jewel.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
This ain’t your granddaddy’s Spud.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Culture Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Every year since 2003, the umbrella organization for quizzing outfits around the globe has put on the granddaddy of knowledge competitions.
—Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
But for real chills and scares, the granddaddy The Blair Witch Project still is the crown jewel.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
This ain’t your granddaddy’s Spud.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
-
Even the Hammurabi Code, a set of laws created by the sixth Babylonian king in approximately 1760 bce, established forerunners of today’s interest rate and minimum wage laws.—
Chris Roush,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Hungary’s incoming premier today showed investors how austere he is compared to his forerunner.—
Jonathan Tirone,
Bloomberg,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Regardless of whether plans are rejigged, there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance for Charles, 77, as befitting a state visit of a British king to a country that his ancestors once ruled.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
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By shedding heavy shells like those seen in early nautiloids and ammonites, the ancestors of modern octopuses traded passive defense for active offense.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The micro-drama, or duanju, emerged around 2018, and became popular on Douyin, the Chinese precursor to TikTok.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Then a guy named Jerry Harvey started Z Channel, the legendary precursor to HBO.—
Donald Liebenson,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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