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
But Coben’s leadership was always temporary, handing over the reins to Gaudette, a corporate president who’s been with NRG and predecessor companies for 25 years.
—
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Despite North Korea’s hard-line approach, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has tried to improve relations across the demilitarized zone and decrease tensions that were prevalent under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
The song’s frenetic pace was complemented by some wild strobe effects, while parts of the performance seemed to evoke the work of one of Wilson’s predecessors (and tonights’s ACM Awards host), Shania Twain.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
As might be expected from one of Latin America’s most idiosyncratic innovators, the film’s title announces more than its obvious relationship to its predecessor.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Despite North Korea’s hard-line approach, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has tried to improve relations across the demilitarized zone and decrease tensions that were prevalent under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
The song’s frenetic pace was complemented by some wild strobe effects, while parts of the performance seemed to evoke the work of one of Wilson’s predecessors (and tonights’s ACM Awards host), Shania Twain.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
As might be expected from one of Latin America’s most idiosyncratic innovators, the film’s title announces more than its obvious relationship to its predecessor.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 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
-
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 21 May. 2026.
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