SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
predecessor
noun
A person or thing that came before another in the same role or position.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Earlier holder of a role
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topPredecessor stresses succession in the same role or series. Precursor may instead be a developmental influence without occupying the same role.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See predecessor in use
The new editor retained several features introduced by her predecessor.
A volunteer journal reached a juncture at which it had to choose between publishing one large annual issue and several shorter issues. The editor found a precedent in an earlier experiment recorded by her predecessor, who had tried a short spring edition when submissions were unusually numerous.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license