heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances
Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence
The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bell, from South Florida, is likely the heir apparent to Arch Manning and committed to the Longhorns almost a year ago.
—
Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Abel emerged as Buffett's heir apparent years ago and, following the death of Vice Chairman Charlie Munger in 2023, has routinely joined him on stage at annual shareholder meetings.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Jake is definitely chomping at the bit for more responsibility, to be next in line, and Bode is the heir apparent.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Related Articles Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
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Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Abel emerged as Buffett's heir apparent years ago and, following the death of Vice Chairman Charlie Munger in 2023, has routinely joined him on stage at annual shareholder meetings.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Jake is definitely chomping at the bit for more responsibility, to be next in line, and Bode is the heir apparent.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Related Articles Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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