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
Even so, given the math, compromise and coalition are the only ways forward if Lecornu hopes to succeed where his predecessors – both appointed for their strengths in these areas – failed.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The dual-motor variant, however, offers more grunt and range than its predecessor.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Nvidia calculates that Blackwell (not even Ultra) can deliver seven times more profitable AI than its Hopper predecessor, and that a $3M investment in NVL72 rack can deliver ten times that cost in profit.
—Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The rebuilt Garden Court, crowned by its magnificent 1909 glass dome and cascade of chandeliers, pulsed with an opulence that surpassed even its legendary predecessor.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The dual-motor variant, however, offers more grunt and range than its predecessor.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Nvidia calculates that Blackwell (not even Ultra) can deliver seven times more profitable AI than its Hopper predecessor, and that a $3M investment in NVL72 rack can deliver ten times that cost in profit.
—Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The rebuilt Garden Court, crowned by its magnificent 1909 glass dome and cascade of chandeliers, pulsed with an opulence that surpassed even its legendary predecessor.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
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Bittler has been with Paramount (and its forerunner Viacom) for some 25 years, most recently as executive vp communications for the company’s kids and family division, including Nickelodeon, Awesomeness and kids and family series at Paramount+.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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In Rea Rasmussen's case, the process took 18 months and required building genealogical connections back to ancestors born in the 1780s.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Events once considered rare—like the 2003 Northeast blackout that hit 50 million people—are now seen as precursors of larger disruptions.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Armani’s foray into the food and beverage world in 1998 served as a precursor to his interior design endeavors but greatly established his design vision.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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