heir-apparent
Throne's presumed inheritor
An heir-apparent is someone whose right to inherit cannot be displaced by the birth of another heir—typically the eldest child of a monarch.
The term extends to anyone widely expected to succeed to a position: The vice president was seen as the heir-apparent to the aging party leader.
Unlike an heir-presumptive, whose claim can be superseded, an heir-apparent's succession seems assured barring death or disqualification.
One who replaces another
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- incumbentCurrent position holder
- nominationFormal candidate selection
party · leadership · mantle · endorsement · dynasty · legacy · campaign · anointed
One who replaces another
- CEOTop corporate officer
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- groomedMade neat and tidy
- mentoredGuided someone less experienced
protege · executive · promotion · transition · handover · understudy · designate · appointee
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- primogenitureEldest inherits all
birthright · lineage · royal · sovereignty · regent · coronation · ascension · firstborn
Easily perceived, unmistakable
- presumptiveAssumed without full proof
- likelyHaving good odds
- inevitableCertain to occur
- expectedRegarded as likely
destined · poised · positioned · waiting · chosen · favored · designated · assumed
successor
One who replaces another
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- incumbentCurrent position holder
nomination · party · leadership · mantle · endorsement · dynasty · legacy · campaign · anointed · presumptive
successor
One who replaces another
- CEOTop corporate officer
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- groomedMade neat and tidy
mentored · protege · executive · promotion · transition · handover · understudy · designate · appointee · management
throne
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
primogeniture · birthright · lineage · royal · sovereignty · regent · coronation · ascension · firstborn · entail
obvious
Easily perceived, unmistakable
- presumptiveAssumed without full proof
- likelyHaving good odds
- inevitableCertain to occur
expected · destined · poised · positioned · waiting · chosen · favored · designated · assumed · predicted
heir-apparentheir presumptive
Successor who can be displaced
disinherited · passed over · last in line · pretender · commoner
heir-apparentincumbent
Current position holder
testator · predecessor · decedent · benefactor · grantor
heir, apparent, heirs, heiress, heiresses, heirless, heirloom, heirship, apparently