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
But a month and a half after the White House announcement, the pace of deportation flights is a bit slower than those of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
—
Ronny Rojas, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
His predecessor, then-President Joe Biden, had removed the group shortly after coming to office in 2021, citing the difficulties for humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
On Tuesday, new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman moved to withdraw the sentencing recommendation request for the brothers, which was rushed into the courts by his predecessor, George Gascón, amid a re-election bid.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
In 1971, for example, the commission's predecessor issued a license to General Electric Company to store nuclear waste at a standalone facility.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Ronny Rojas, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
His predecessor, then-President Joe Biden, had removed the group shortly after coming to office in 2021, citing the difficulties for humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
On Tuesday, new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman moved to withdraw the sentencing recommendation request for the brothers, which was rushed into the courts by his predecessor, George Gascón, amid a re-election bid.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
In 1971, for example, the commission's predecessor issued a license to General Electric Company to store nuclear waste at a standalone facility.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
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Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Cajuns of south Louisiana trace their ancestors to the French Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia around 1755.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
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Capes were an homage to the ones worn by his shepherd ancestors, who practiced transhumance in the Caucasus for centuries, reworked by Gassanoff in a sheer chiffon-like fabric or in a thick wool version, both with very structured silhouettes.—
Alberto Calabrese,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such certificates are often pursued after a conviction has been vacated and as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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For example, tryptophan is precursor to serotonin, the body’s feel-good chemical.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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