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
The case file on Weaver’s murder that Logothetti ultimately inherited from her predecessors at the Everett Police Department brimmed with outlandish theories around her death involving money laundering and cocaine.
—
Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Magyar is far more pro-EU and anti-Russia than his predecessor.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 enhances AI camera capabilities, gaming experiences, and introduces Wi-Fi 7, boasting a 21% faster GPU and 20% quicker app launches than its predecessor.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Within Iran, he is regarded as more willing than his predecessors to expand the use of missiles beyond strictly military targets.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Magyar is far more pro-EU and anti-Russia than his predecessor.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 enhances AI camera capabilities, gaming experiences, and introduces Wi-Fi 7, boasting a 21% faster GPU and 20% quicker app launches than its predecessor.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Within Iran, he is regarded as more willing than his predecessors to expand the use of missiles beyond strictly military targets.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Las Damas was founded in May 1948 and put on the Beachcomber’s Carnival, a forerunner of the Sunset Beach Art Festival, in July of that year.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
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The brand was also a forerunner with exclusive collaborations.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Noun
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In a town in northern Peru, a teenager addicted to video games begins to desecrate the sacred ruins of his ancestors in search of money to continue playing.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Scientists think that may have happened later when our ancestors intermingled with Denisovans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
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White filed a tort claim with the city in 2024; such a claim is a necessary precursor to a lawsuit against a government agency.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
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Flying through a mountain with steep drops and dark surprises, this most definitely feels like a precursor to Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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