antecedent to

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wilson redefined “liberty” not as a natural right antecedent to the government, but as “the right of those who are governed to adjust government to their own needs and interests.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The closest antecedent to “Changes” may well be adult-contemporary R&B, which makes sense given that Bieber’s primary songwriting collaborator is Poo Bear, a 41-year-old singer and songwriter who’s released R&B music of his own.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2020

The most clear antecedent to the Oblique Strategies cards was John Cage’s adoption of the ancient Chinese divination system, the I Ching, to make musical decisions.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2018

"The Tortilla Curtain" may be the most obvious antecedent to "The Harder They Come."

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2015

A national constitution is the act of the people antecedent to government; a government cannot therefore determine or alter the organic law it temporarily represents.

From The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. I. (of II) With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William Cobbett by Conway, Moncure Daniel