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
Replacing the outgoing Forte, the new Kia K4 is slightly larger and roomier than its predecessor and brings more street style to the table as well.
—
Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Simply put, there is an enormous difference between a president making different decisions than his predecessor while staying between the statutory lines and a president attempting to close, reorganize, or consolidate a department without permission.
—The Editors, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
Carr’s predecessor, Jessica Rosenworcel, had dismissed those complaints, in addition to the one against 60 Minutes.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025
In 2020, Trump sanctioned chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, over her decision to open an inquiry into war crimes committed by all sides, including the U.S., in Afghanistan.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Simply put, there is an enormous difference between a president making different decisions than his predecessor while staying between the statutory lines and a president attempting to close, reorganize, or consolidate a department without permission.
—The Editors, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025
Carr’s predecessor, Jessica Rosenworcel, had dismissed those complaints, in addition to the one against 60 Minutes.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025
In 2020, Trump sanctioned chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, over her decision to open an inquiry into war crimes committed by all sides, including the U.S., in Afghanistan.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Equally, it was never considered by bid organizers to be a forerunner in bids to host the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cup, the latter of which was successful and will be shared next year with Canada and Mexico.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
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While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.—
Lou Ponsi,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Then the fire last month destroyed nearly everything inside the house: the handwritten letters from Ms. Edmiston’s father, who was once the mayor of Beverly Hills; a tin menorah that her ancestors brought from Russia and Poland; and, of course, nearly all the cookie jars.—
Corina Knoll,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Read on for how to watch 1923 online for free to see the Yellowstone spinoff about John Dutton’s ancestors.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since the inception of the SAG Awards in 1994, only six actors have won the Oscar with SAG as their sole major precursor — and none of them were in lead actor.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
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One of Sinaloa’s most lucrative businesses in recent years has been the production of fentanyl, blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U.S. Sinaloa imports the precursor chemicals from China, produces the drug and then smuggles it across the border.—
Ellen Knickmeyer and Maria Verza,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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