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 agreement followed several months of on-and-off negotiations, including a last-minute Redstone rejection of an earlier proposal from Skydance.
McCarthy has been with Paramount Global and its predecessor Viacom for more than two decades, having first come to the company in 2003.
—
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return for the new installment that, based on the trailer, could be delivering even more sinister scares than its predecessor.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 July 2025
Not only were scaly reptiles proliferating, but the predecessors of mammals were also evolving fur and whiskers.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
Like its 1998 predecessor, Tracks II represents the Holy Grail for the Boss’ devoted following.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return for the new installment that, based on the trailer, could be delivering even more sinister scares than its predecessor.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 July 2025
Not only were scaly reptiles proliferating, but the predecessors of mammals were also evolving fur and whiskers.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
Like its 1998 predecessor, Tracks II represents the Holy Grail for the Boss’ devoted following.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Gilligan, who also created Saul’s forerunner Breaking Bad, will serve as writer and showrunner.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
25 July 2025
Noun
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That was how your ancestors lived for almost all of human history.—
John C. Goodman,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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And yet, for us, the memory of our ancestors’ strength and courage during times even more trying than ours is a grounding force.—
Brad Riew,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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