heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances
Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence
The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Namal Rajapaksa, the heir apparent to the once-powerful Rajapaksa clan, is also contesting.
—
Krishan Francis, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Sep. 2024
Once upon a time, Sanchez was the fifth pick in the 2009 draft by the New York Jets, the heir apparent to franchise icon Joe Namath.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2024
He had long been seen as the heir apparent to Hong Kong’s third richest family, which has businesses spanning industries from real estate and jewelry to energy and media.
—Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
In their wake, Dublin quartet U2 emerged as their heir apparent, with their socially conscious 1987 album The Joshua Tree becoming one of the most celebrated of the decade.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heir apparent 
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Krishan Francis, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Sep. 2024
Once upon a time, Sanchez was the fifth pick in the 2009 draft by the New York Jets, the heir apparent to franchise icon Joe Namath.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2024
He had long been seen as the heir apparent to Hong Kong’s third richest family, which has businesses spanning industries from real estate and jewelry to energy and media.
—Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
In their wake, Dublin quartet U2 emerged as their heir apparent, with their socially conscious 1987 album The Joshua Tree becoming one of the most celebrated of the decade.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heir apparent
Dictionary Entries Near heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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