PREDECESSOR Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

predecessor

noun

ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər

Definition of predecessor

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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Example 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 In response to Sumrall’s first loss at Florida, Saturday is a chance to prove exactly what’s different about his outfit versus those of his predecessor. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 Levi’s — under Gass as well as her predecessor Chip Bergh — has built up a certain credibility and is getting the benefit of the doubt. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 But the plan is to sell cocktails at a slightly lower price point than its predecessor. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026 On Tuesday, October 13, BUR airport will officially open a new 355,000-square-foot terminal that’s about 53% larger than its predecessor. — Annita Katee, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predecessor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor

Noun

Dubbed the ‘American Turtle’ for its appearance, the submarine made three attempts to blow up British ships without success, but is considered the forerunner of modern submarines.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Margaret and Alice are the forerunners of Lucy and Ethel, and Shakespeare’s comedy, written expressly to entertain, gives us a sense of what an Elizabethan-era situation comedy might look like.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of forerunner

Noun

The discovery led to a complete redesign of the project, shifting the hotel inland to preserve the sacred site and honor the ancestors who remain there.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The small, troubled Trask family represents isolation, generational trauma and dysfunctional cycles in contrast to the large, loving and morally grounded Hamilton family, who are modeled after Steinbeck’s own maternal ancestors.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancestor

Noun

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) is here, serving as a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Ng, who is Jo Henderson’s oncologist, noted that her previous research found that women who ate more ultraprocessed foods had a higher risk of colon polyps that can be precursors to cancer.

— Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of precursor

Browse Nearby Words

predeceasing

predecessor

predecessors

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Style

“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of predecessor

noun

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