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
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
European hard-right parties, some with fascist antecedents, hope to capitalize on Mr. Trump’s unrelenting presence and emulate his victory.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Polish-born and Paris-based, Piotr Kamler is an experimental animator whose work explores temporal distortions and spatial paradoxes, conjuring here a slow-creeping sense of entrapment intensified by an unnerving soundscape—a clear antecedent to Barker’s nightmarish visions.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
European hard-right parties, some with fascist antecedents, hope to capitalize on Mr. Trump’s unrelenting presence and emulate his victory.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedent
Adjective
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About 44% reported being in poor mental health within the previous month.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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This year's Run for the Roses also drew in the highest ever average viewership with nearly 18 million viewers, which is up 6% from the previous year.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Insulin resistance is a common cause of high blood glucose levels.—
Jane Kim,
Verywell Health,
1 Aug. 2025
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The Free Press commentator Eli Lake rejected the idea that the mainstream media’s tone had meaningfully shifted in favor of the Palestinian cause recently.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Gilligan, who also created Saul’s forerunner Breaking Bad, will serve as writer and showrunner.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
25 July 2025
Noun
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That was how your ancestors lived for almost all of human history.—
John C. Goodman,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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And yet, for us, the memory of our ancestors’ strength and courage during times even more trying than ours is a grounding force.—
Brad Riew,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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That’s one of the challenges that Gearbox confronted when developing Borderlands 4 (out Sept. 12), a sequel that’s due to arrive in a very different gaming landscape than its predecessor.—
Jonathan Zavaleta,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
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Alas, the rest of moisturizer is serious, almost subdued, at least compared with its rollicking predecessor.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antecedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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