inherit
Receive responsibilities, problems, or assets from a predecessor
Examples
In a meeting
“I inherited several legacy systems when I joined the team.”
Over coffee
“She inherited all her brother's chores when he moved out.”
Why this word
receive
inherit specifically means getting something from a predecessor or ancestor, while receive is any act of getting
acquire
inherit implies passive reception from the past, while acquire suggests active effort to obtain
take over
inherit emphasizes automatic succession and what was passed down, while take over focuses on assuming control
Usage tip
Use to describe taking on something that existed before you, especially challenges or obligations
Etymology
Latin 'in-' (in) + 'hereditare' (to inherit) from 'heres' (heir)
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Related words
handoff
The transfer of responsibility from one person to another
disclaim
To deny responsibility or connection with something
culpable
Deserving blame or held responsible for wrongdoing
successor
A person or thing that follows and takes the place of another
negligent
Failing to take proper care in doing something; careless
fiduciary
Involving trust and confidence in managing affairs or assets for another