heir apparent

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.

She has accompanied her father at missile launches and other important outings, fuelling speculation she has effectively been chosen as his heir apparent.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

He then spent two decades as the heir apparent before rising to power in 1994.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

New England’s Drake Maye, 23, was also the No. 3 in his draft class two years ago, becoming the heir apparent to Brady.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 7, 2026

So now the man once seen as the heir apparent to Tom Brady will face the legendary quarterback's eventual successor, Drake Maye, for a place in Super Bowl 60.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

In the four years since Mills had joined the Rad Lab, he had emerged as Ernest’s heir apparent.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik