predecessor
A person or thing that came before and was replaced by another
Examples
In a meeting
“Our new manager has a very different style than her predecessor.”
Over coffee
“This phone model is much better than its predecessor.”
Why this word
previous
Predecessor specifically refers to a person or thing in a sequence, while previous is just a general temporal adjective
former
Predecessor identifies a specific role-holder who came before, while former is vaguer about the relationship
ancestor
Predecessor refers to immediate prior position-holder, while ancestor implies genealogical or distant lineage
Usage tip
Useful for comparing current situations, people, or versions with what came immediately before
Etymology
Latin: praedecessor (prae- before + decessor retiring officer)
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Related words
subsequent
Coming after something in time or order.
distinguish
To recognize or identify the difference between things
mirror
To reflect or match something closely
prerequisite
Something required before something else can happen
juxtaposition
The placement of two things side by side for comparison or contrast
disparity
A significant difference or inequality between things