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
His predecessors have instead focused on deepening ties with Japan, which became an ally after the war.
—
ABC News, 15 June 2026
Just like its predecessor, the prequel series is dedicated to an violent, world-tilting war for the Iron Throne.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
While the ruling Chavismo movement is now consolidating its unexpected ties with Washington, Rodríguez appears to aspire to lead this new phase herself, with calls to leave behind the harsh years of her predecessor.
—Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
But as with every predecessor, his results have been mixed, with a record of 15-10-1 heading into the World Cup.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
ABC News, 15 June 2026
Just like its predecessor, the prequel series is dedicated to an violent, world-tilting war for the Iron Throne.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
While the ruling Chavismo movement is now consolidating its unexpected ties with Washington, Rodríguez appears to aspire to lead this new phase herself, with calls to leave behind the harsh years of her predecessor.
—Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
But as with every predecessor, his results have been mixed, with a record of 15-10-1 heading into the World Cup.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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The group, which includes Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot and Citroen, is becoming a forerunner in the promising progress of a new type of vehicle battery.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 June 2026
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In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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For our hunter-gatherer ancestors, getting enough of these critical nutrients was a daily life-and-death struggle.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The acreage had been owned by Ruth Moore’s ancestors, the Toof family, who named it Graceland.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Earth-impacting shrapnel from those primordial upheavals may have helped seed our planet with the precursors for life, delivering water and organic compounds from the dark, icy depths of the outer solar system.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
18 June 2026
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Scouts and Raiders is billed as telling the true origin story of the WWII commando unit of the same name, a precursor to the Navy SEALs, including its heavy recruitment of collegiate and professional football players.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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