50
precursor(noun, person, special, original, first)
34
forerunner(noun, person, sign, special, original)
31
antecedent(noun, person, sign, special, original)
29
ancestor(noun, person, respect, fake, copy)
28
forebear(noun, special, original, first, kin)
24
prototype(noun, special, original, first, someone)
21
pioneer(noun, new, special, original, first)
20
foregoer(noun, special, original, first, someone)
19
antecessor(noun, special, original, first, someone)
18
originator(noun, new, special, original, first)
16
forefather(noun, special, original, first, kin)
16
harbinger(noun, special, original, first, before)
14
progenitor(noun, person, special, original, first)
14
herald(noun, special, original, first, before)
14
parent(noun, special, original, first, kin)
12
messenger(noun, special, original, first, before)
12
primogenitor(noun, special, original, first, before)
12
vanguard(noun, new, special, original, first)
11
forebearer(noun, respect, sign, special, original)
10
ascendant(noun, special, original, first, kin)
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APASmart Define. (2016). predecessor thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/predecessor/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "predecessor thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/predecessor/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, predecessor thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/predecessor/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "predecessor thesaurus" 2 March 2016. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/predecessor/thesaurus/synonyms>