predecessors
Those who preceded
Predecessors are those who came before in a position, role, or sequence.
A new CEO studies her predecessors' decisions.
A building replaces its predecessor on the same site.
The word applies to people, things, or versions: This software improves on its predecessor.
The opposite is successor.
Things preceding others
- harbingersSignals of what's ahead
- heraldsMessengers who announce
- antecedentsThings coming before
- prototypesOriginal test models
models · templates · archetypes · bellwethers · advance-guard · scouts · front-runners · pacemakers
Ancestral family members
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
- forefathersAncestral predecessors
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- lineageDescent from progenitors
bloodline · genealogy · dynasty · clan · tribe · kindred · family · descent
Those who open territory
- pathfindersThose who discover routes
- groundbreakersInnovators who start trends
- innovatorsCreators of novel things
- visionariesThose who anticipate change
originators · inventors · explorers · discoverers · revolutionaries · torchbearers · vanguards · champions
Sociable and unreserved
- retiredNo longer in workforce
- departedHaving left
- earlierAt a prior time
- erstwhilePreviously but not now
former · antecedent · prior · previous · past
Underlying support or principle
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
- bedrockSolid stone underground
cornerstone · origins · genesis · roots · source · seedbed · wellspring · springboard
precursors
Things preceding others
- harbingersSignals of what's ahead
- heraldsMessengers who announce
- antecedentsThings coming before
prototypes · models · templates · archetypes · bellwethers · advance-guard · scouts · front-runners · pacemakers · foreshadowers
forebears
Ancestral family members
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
- forefathersAncestral predecessors
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
lineage · bloodline · genealogy · dynasty · clan · tribe · kindred · family · descent · roots
trailblazers
Those who open territory
- pathfindersThose who discover routes
- groundbreakersInnovators who start trends
- innovatorsCreators of novel things
visionaries · originators · inventors · explorers · discoverers · revolutionaries · torchbearers · vanguards · champions · founders
outgoing
Sociable and unreserved
basis
Underlying support or principle
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
bedrock · cornerstone · origins · genesis · roots · source · seedbed · wellspring · springboard · launchpad
- musical influencesinspiration, mentors, idols, pioneers, homage
- project schedulingcritical path, milestones, deadlines, tasks, dependencies
- Antecedentsancestors, parents, grandparents, forebears, forerunners
- ancestorsancestor, ancestors, forebears, forebear, forbear
- trailblazerstrailblazers, pioneers, innovators, groundbreakers, forerunners
- personal recordspersonal best, criminal record, PR, medical history, PB
predecessorssuccessors
Those who follow after
followers · replacements · heirs · inheritors · next in line