successors
Next in line
Successors are those who come after and take over from predecessors—in office, position, or sequence.
A CEO names a successor; a monarch's successor inherits the throne.
The word implies continuity: the successor carries forward what the predecessor began, though perhaps in a different direction.
Her successor reversed most of her policies.
Those who inherit
- beneficiariesThose who receive advantages
- descendantsThose who come after
- scionsHeirs or plant shoots
- deviseesRecipients of bequeathed property
legatees · executors · estate · bequest · primogeniture · entailment · probate · intestate
Those who come after
- offspringBiological descendants produced
- progenyOne's biological descendants
- posterityFuture generations collectively
- childrenYoung human beings
issue · scions · dynasty · lineage · bloodline · ancestry · genealogy · family tree
What takes another's place
- substituteReplacement for another
- heir apparentUnassailable next in line
- appointeePerson named to position
- designateFormally select or name
elect · incoming · runner-up · understudy · stand-in · fill-in · handover · transition
Devoted followers of teachings
- adherentsLoyal supporters of something
- acolytesDevoted followers or assistants
- devoteesPassionate adherents
- protégésStudents of a mentor
imitators · emulators · torchbearers · standard-bearers · apostles · pupils · students · apprentices
Uninterrupted progression or coherence
- perpetuationMaking something endure
- carrying onMaintaining activity despite obstacles
- extensionAdded part or duration
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
maintenance · renewal · survival · persistence · endurance · legacy · tradition · stewardship
heirs
Those who inherit
- beneficiariesThose who receive advantages
- descendantsThose who come after
- scionsHeirs or plant shoots
devisees · legatees · executors · estate · bequest · primogeniture · entailment · probate · intestate · testate
descendants
Those who come after
- offspringBiological descendants produced
- progenyOne's biological descendants
- posterityFuture generations collectively
children · issue · scions · dynasty · lineage · bloodline · ancestry · genealogy · family tree · next generation
replacement
What takes another's place
- substituteReplacement for another
- heir apparentUnassailable next in line
- appointeePerson named to position
designate · elect · incoming · runner-up · understudy · stand-in · fill-in · handover · transition · inauguration
disciples
Devoted followers of teachings
- adherentsLoyal supporters of something
- acolytesDevoted followers or assistants
- devoteesPassionate adherents
protégés · imitators · emulators · torchbearers · standard-bearers · apostles · pupils · students · apprentices · understudies
continuity
Uninterrupted progression or coherence
- perpetuationMaking something endure
- carrying onMaintaining activity despite obstacles
- extensionAdded part or duration
preservation · maintenance · renewal · survival · persistence · endurance · legacy · tradition · stewardship · custodianship
appointee
Person named to position
director · leader · executive · manager · administration · tenure · term · office · promotion · advancement
- heirsheir apparent, heir presumptive, heiress, heirs, inheritor
- project schedulingcritical path, milestones, deadlines, tasks, dependencies
- throne seekersusurpers, heirs, pretenders, claimants, inheritors
- litigation partiesparties, plaintiffs, defendants, litigants, petitioners
- kinshipmother, father, sister, brother, children
- newcomersnewcomers, newcomer, new arrivals, new arrival, newbie
successorspredecessors
Those coming before another
precursors · forerunners · antecedents · originators · pioneers
successorsancestors
Those from whom one descends
forebears · forefathers · progenitors · forbears · antecedents
- successor statesNations inheriting dissolved polities