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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predecessor
Greenspan’s predecessor, Volcker, has a place in history as the person who broke the back of inflation in the United States.
—
Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026
One of the two co-founders of the political group is Chris Stewart, Maloy’s predecessor in Congress.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Unlike its predecessors, physical capability can’t be purchased overnight, outsourced, or faked for long.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Samsung Smartphone Deal The Galaxy Z Fold 7 redefines the foldable experience by being wider and slimmer than its predecessors, while offering 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage to support its massive 8-inch main screen.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026
One of the two co-founders of the political group is Chris Stewart, Maloy’s predecessor in Congress.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Unlike its predecessors, physical capability can’t be purchased overnight, outsourced, or faked for long.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Samsung Smartphone Deal The Galaxy Z Fold 7 redefines the foldable experience by being wider and slimmer than its predecessors, while offering 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage to support its massive 8-inch main screen.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
