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
Even so, given the math, compromise and coalition are the only ways forward if Lecornu hopes to succeed where his predecessors – both appointed for their strengths in these areas – failed.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The dual-motor variant, however, offers more grunt and range than its predecessor.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Nvidia calculates that Blackwell (not even Ultra) can deliver seven times more profitable AI than its Hopper predecessor, and that a $3M investment in NVL72 rack can deliver ten times that cost in profit.
—Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The rebuilt Garden Court, crowned by its magnificent 1909 glass dome and cascade of chandeliers, pulsed with an opulence that surpassed even its legendary predecessor.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The dual-motor variant, however, offers more grunt and range than its predecessor.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Nvidia calculates that Blackwell (not even Ultra) can deliver seven times more profitable AI than its Hopper predecessor, and that a $3M investment in NVL72 rack can deliver ten times that cost in profit.
—Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The rebuilt Garden Court, crowned by its magnificent 1909 glass dome and cascade of chandeliers, pulsed with an opulence that surpassed even its legendary predecessor.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Schuyler, who a decade ago sold her company, Epitome Pictures, to DHX Media, a forerunner of Wild Brain Entertainment, was not available for comment on Wednesday.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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In Rea Rasmussen's case, the process took 18 months and required building genealogical connections back to ancestors born in the 1780s.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And the precursors for that reality may already be in motion, Metzger noted.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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After a follow-up period of 7½ years, the team concluded that higher iron levels in two key parts of the brain were linked to a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is typically a precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s dementia.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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