as in previous
going before another in time or order
I'd like to follow up on an antecedent question from another reporter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cause
someone or something responsible for a result
what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the typewriter is the antecedent of the computer keyboard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antecedent
Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024
Relaxed high-altitude winds, the spreading of air aloft and the presence of an antecedent tropical wave all made for the formation of a hurricane — but record-warm water temperatures, reminiscent of September, helped transform the storm into a top-tier tempest.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
With Love, Meghan could use some Martha Stewart style
Part of the problem is that as a celebrity, Meghan has two clear antecedents: Princess Diana and Martha Stewart.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Adjective
Responsible purchasing is antecedent to fair and equitable decarbonization in the supply chain.
—Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024
Relaxed high-altitude winds, the spreading of air aloft and the presence of an antecedent tropical wave all made for the formation of a hurricane — but record-warm water temperatures, reminiscent of September, helped transform the storm into a top-tier tempest.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Noun
At an apparel level, the two do habitually converse—Coco Chanel launched her business making tennis dresses, and today’s athleisure has antecedents in Claire McCardell’s bodysuits and Y2K-era Prada Sport.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
With Love, Meghan could use some Martha Stewart style
Part of the problem is that as a celebrity, Meghan has two clear antecedents: Princess Diana and Martha Stewart.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedent
Adjective
-
Don’t Chelsea and the Premier League have previous on associated party transactions?—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The previous 47 seasons of the show are all available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.—
Emily DeLetter,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The presence of a chemical compound used in missile production, sodium perchlorate, was considered a possible cause.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Police said the identity of the individual remains unknown and the cause of death is pending determination by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, VistaVision was the forerunner of IMAX 65mm, with its horizontal orientation.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The company plans to recreate the mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, by editing the genome of each species’ closest living relative to make a hybrid animal that would be visually indistinguishable from its extinct forerunner.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Like all Guna, Lisa’s ancestors were not native island dwellers.—
Mark Johanson,
AFAR Media,
22 Apr. 2025
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Water bottle The modern-day source of water for many people—their water bottle—may be just as germ-filled as our ancient ancestors’ go-to watering hole.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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CSAs have often been precursors to broader agreements among countries.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Many people at Saturday’s protest worried that the ruling could be the precursor to other judgments that diminish the rights of transgender people.—
Kwiyeon Ha and Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This breaks from tradition, as many of Pope Francis' predecessors have been buried inside the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, Reuters reported.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Before the Papacy As pope, he was noted to have an openness to his decision-making that differed from his papal predecessors.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antecedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedent. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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