1
as in causes
someone or something responsible for a result
what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunners
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 antecedents
The parallel plotlines involving Ali’s possible descendants and problematic antecedents, including a father (Ercan Kesal) who seems to be particularly abusive towards his wife, collide in highly unusual ways during the movie’s volatile second half.
—
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Art-wise, there are antecedents.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Chinatown is very much in argument with the style and structure of its antecedents, manifestly not the neo-noir it is often said to be.
—airmail.news, 20 July 2024
Chinatown is, therefore, very much in argument with the style and structure of its antecedents, manifestly not the neo-noir it is often said to be.
—airmail.news, 20 July 2024
Many of Guardiola’s most famous antecedents — Bill Shankly, Arrigo Sacchi — either resigned or retired because of the strain the job placed on them.
—Rory Smith, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
But what sets the West apart from all its historical antecedents and modern counterparts is precisely its trial-and-error democracies, protected by politically and economically inclusive institutions.
—Vuk Vukovic, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The results said much about the foundational beliefs that serve as antecedents to their voting proclivities.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Art-wise, there are antecedents.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Chinatown is very much in argument with the style and structure of its antecedents, manifestly not the neo-noir it is often said to be.
—airmail.news, 20 July 2024
Chinatown is, therefore, very much in argument with the style and structure of its antecedents, manifestly not the neo-noir it is often said to be.
—airmail.news, 20 July 2024
Many of Guardiola’s most famous antecedents — Bill Shankly, Arrigo Sacchi — either resigned or retired because of the strain the job placed on them.
—Rory Smith, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
But what sets the West apart from all its historical antecedents and modern counterparts is precisely its trial-and-error democracies, protected by politically and economically inclusive institutions.
—Vuk Vukovic, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The results said much about the foundational beliefs that serve as antecedents to their voting proclivities.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antecedents
Noun
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These somewhat redundant three layers of determinants robustly channel a trajectory of predictable behavior.—
Benjamin Voyer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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In addition, the unstructured notes contain more information on social determinants of health.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Now this may be simply because a few uniquely talented craftsman build each Torpedo by hand on a small Swedish island where their ancestors have literally been building boats for more than 1000 years.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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Inspired by her family who comes from a local town in Guerrero, one of the poorest and most affected states in Mexico, this exhibition is also about respect for her ancestors and traditions.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Yet Kennedy’s very eccentricity may prove to be a great asset given the failure of his sensible predecessors.—
Adrian Wooldridge,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
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Can America’s eccentric new health and human services secretary succeed where so many of his sensible predecessors have failed?—
Adrian Wooldridge,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antecedents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antecedents. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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