heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance cannot be voided or undone except by exclusion under a valid will if the heir 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
LaMelo Ball, an early heir apparent to Curry as a flashy guard with a deadly shot, is taking an average of nine 3-pointers a game.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
She is survived by Rahman, her elder son and heir apparent in the political dynasty.
—CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Looking into the near future, the Rams do not have a clear heir apparent to Stafford.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Dresses worn by Queen Mathilde of Belgium and her eldest daughter and heir apparent Princess Elisabeth were also featured in the exhibit.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
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Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
She is survived by Rahman, her elder son and heir apparent in the political dynasty.
—CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Looking into the near future, the Rams do not have a clear heir apparent to Stafford.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Dresses worn by Queen Mathilde of Belgium and her eldest daughter and heir apparent Princess Elisabeth were also featured in the exhibit.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
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