as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard
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Recent Examples of predecessor
But like its predecessor, Yellowstone, the series also romanticizes the industry, pairing authentic ranching challenges with larger-than-life drama.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The Spaniard has agreed to take over this summer and will have more freedom than any of his predecessors to mould the Chelsea team in his own image.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Under Pulte's predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, the DNI office had already taken steps to scale back its size.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
Silver points to one of Wembanyama’s predecessors in San Antonio, Tim Duncan, having no interest in doing that.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The Spaniard has agreed to take over this summer and will have more freedom than any of his predecessors to mould the Chelsea team in his own image.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Under Pulte's predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, the DNI office had already taken steps to scale back its size.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
Silver points to one of Wembanyama’s predecessors in San Antonio, Tim Duncan, having no interest in doing that.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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While Bass remains widely viewed as the forerunner, recent polling suggests the race might be tightening heading into the final days before the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Our ancestors—the hard-working, long-suffering peasant women who told these stories to each other and passed them down the generations through the oral tradition—knew everything there was to know about adversity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The contest also encouraged students to think of ways to prevent water pollution, and how our ancestors may have loved to save water.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Tort claims are typically filed as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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But the true precursor to the UFC Octagon might be the wrestling cage.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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