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
In other words, Gen Z is the first generation to be less cognitively capable than their predecessors.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
He was promoted from an assistant coach to head coach when his predecessor, Nate Klitzing, departed to coach at Orange Lutheran, Klitzing’s alma mater.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Eyewitness video showed a crowd in southern Iran toppling a monument dedicated to the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei’s predecessor.
—Marin Scott, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
This area of Dallas, at Northwest Highway and Midway Road, could use more restaurants, and Cantina La Rosa is a welcome addition after its predecessor Fernando’s closed.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
He was promoted from an assistant coach to head coach when his predecessor, Nate Klitzing, departed to coach at Orange Lutheran, Klitzing’s alma mater.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Eyewitness video showed a crowd in southern Iran toppling a monument dedicated to the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei’s predecessor.
—Marin Scott, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
This area of Dallas, at Northwest Highway and Midway Road, could use more restaurants, and Cantina La Rosa is a welcome addition after its predecessor Fernando’s closed.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Captain America was introduced in December 1940 by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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