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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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predecessor Macy’s employees can still march in the parade, just like their predecessors did nearly 100 years ago. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 28 Nov. 2024 The 12th-generation model (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a larger display (7 inches instead of 6.8), the highest contrast ratio on any Kindle (for sharp text and images), and three months of battery life (an increase from two months on its predecessor). Simon Hill, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 But López Obrador, a nationalist and folksy populist, railed against the violence set off by the drug war waged by his predecessors and the Americans. Rebecca Santana, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024 Despite their rhetoric, Trump's predecessors within the Republican Party put forward some policies that resembled his proposals this week. Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predecessor 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
  • Embrace change, become a forerunner and refuse to let emotional interference deter productivity.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
  • Some Latin American nations are now even forerunners in the global struggle for LGBT equality.
    Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 11 Jan. 2016
Noun
  • Now, Hall is helping safeguard the legacy of his ancestors—and redefining generational wealth in the process.
    Sofia Perez, Saveur, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Fleshing out the ensemble cast of characters are Keiran Atreides (Chris Mason), an ancestor of Paul Atreides; the emperor's wife Natalya (Jodhi May); and Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a mysterious soldier with a shocking revelation about a trip to Arrakis.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Macht’s stint is a guest arc and is not a precursor to him potentially joining Suits LA full-time.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The move into Selfridges is a precursor to a broader global expansion effort.
    James Manso, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near predecessor

Cite this Entry

“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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