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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Mesa Verde continues to hold great cultural significance for the 27 pueblos and tribes whose ancestors once called the canyons, farms, cliffside and mesa dwellings home or who have other ties to the area.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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During the Early Devonian Period, life on land was still relatively new, and many of the ancestors of modern vertebrates had yet to emerge from the water.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Saturday marks one year since a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel began — a precursor to the longer ongoing war that would kick off eight months later.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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With support from the organization that was the precursor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, my father and grandmother immigrated to the United States aboard the General Henry Taylor.—
Alex Poppe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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