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
Mousavi was appointed the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces after the Israelis killed his predecessor, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, last week.
—
Nbc News, NBC news, 18 June 2025
Other survey data suggests Gen Z is more interested in creative and entrepreneurial opportunities than its predecessors.
—Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Johnson's speakership began weeks later, after the ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 June 2025
Bears fans were led to believe Johnson’s predecessor, Matt Eberflus, was a disciplinarian.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Nbc News, NBC news, 18 June 2025
Other survey data suggests Gen Z is more interested in creative and entrepreneurial opportunities than its predecessors.
—Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Johnson's speakership began weeks later, after the ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 June 2025
Bears fans were led to believe Johnson’s predecessor, Matt Eberflus, was a disciplinarian.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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This is, in part, explained by the institutional memory of the competition’s forerunner — the Intercontinental Cup — and the legendary battles of a bygone era.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Another forerunner of today’s scene is Ansedonia, a hillside community of upscale homes near Capalbio that in the 1960s became popular with creative types from the Italian capital.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As Charles Handy explained in The Age of Paradox, modern life forces us to navigate complexities our ancestors never faced, such as the tension between efficiency and humanity or between individual freedom and collective responsibility.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Throughout the middle passage, it has been said that our ancestors wove familiar items such as beads, shells, or even seeds and grains from home into their braids, to keep with them along their journeys.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Cravats were a precursor to the modern necktie, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century.—
Kristopher Fraser,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
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Real Madrid were among the favorites to win the first-of-its-kind tournament, which is a precursor to next year’s FIFA World Cup.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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