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
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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
Book Marks
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Several Supreme Court justices have openly questioned the principle, its application to the states and its historic antecedents.
—Time, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for antecedent
Adjective
Responsible purchasing is antecedent to fair and equitable decarbonization in the supply chain.
—Noun
Philip Roth and David Foster Wallace come to mind as antecedents, though Tulathimutte has their wit without their warmth.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedent
Adjective
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Police located a vehicle description and license plate associated with him from a previous call for service.—
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Founded and headquartered in Boise, Micron is Idaho’s largest for-profit employer, according to previous Statesman reporting.—
Noun
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The preliminary investigation did not find any obvious signs of trauma on Strother and his cause of death is pending, according to the BCA.—
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The officers determined that the woman’s death did not appear to be from natural causes.—
Noun
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Perfected by forerunners such as Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, this fall has already seen two music stars gift us with lay-it-all-out-there lyrics.—
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The Park cinema launched under the ownership of Cineplex Odeon Cinemas, a forerunner of Cineplex and today an operator of multiplexes and out of home destinations.—
Noun
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In October 2024, the lab firm used genealogical mapping, in which unidentified DNA is traced to relatives and ancestors to produce a more precise genetic profile and possible identity, to point to Contreras, according to the affidavit.—
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Over ten million years ago, long before the human species existed, our hominid ancestors adapted to metabolize alcohol.—
Noun
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Nya Lödöse was an important precursor to modern-day Gothenburg, located in the city’s eastern part between 1473 and 1624.—
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Bogle introduced the first index fund for everyday investors, a precursor to the Vanguard 500.—
Noun
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But under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, the country’s energy sector is in free-fall.—
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Her predecessor, who is no relation, recruited her to run for council a decade ago.—
Cite this Entry
“Antecedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedent. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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