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
Morton was hired last offseason to take over for the departing Ben Johnson, now the coach of the Chicago Bears, and failed to meet the standard set by his predecessor.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Fleming and Andreeva were part of the original editorial team at Deadline alongside founder Nikki Finke, joining in early 2010 after the site’s acquisition by Penske Media Corporation predecessor MMC.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Whatever the issues between Chelsea and his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, there’s no denying the Italian kept results at Stamford Bridge on an even keel.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Bonsignore’s two predecessors as commissioner didn’t serve as firefighters, either.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Fleming and Andreeva were part of the original editorial team at Deadline alongside founder Nikki Finke, joining in early 2010 after the site’s acquisition by Penske Media Corporation predecessor MMC.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Whatever the issues between Chelsea and his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, there’s no denying the Italian kept results at Stamford Bridge on an even keel.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Bonsignore’s two predecessors as commissioner didn’t serve as firefighters, either.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Manufactured between 1960 and 1980, Scouts were beefy 4x4s and a forerunner to the SUV.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
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With little support for the WHO among Republicans — who control both the House and the Senate — there has been no push from Congress to hold the country to the provision set out by their forerunners.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Staying on-site also puts guests inside a 19th-century estate tied to the Leacock family, British ancestors of the current owners, who helped pioneer Madeira wine’s trade with England and remained among the island’s major producers until 1925.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The researchers also said that the paintings were very likely created by people closely linked to the ancestors of Indigenous Australians.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Ars Technica reports, space startup Vast has opted to build a smaller and more feasible interim station, dubbed Haven-1, which will serve as the precursor for much larger outposts capable of continuous habitation in the more distant future.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
22 Jan. 2026
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The history of whiskey (also known as whisky) is commonly thought to have begun in the Middle Ages, but Robinson goes all the way back to the Neolithic era and the precursor of what would evolve into the pot still, and forward to the present day.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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