1. a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another
2. a person’s ancestors or family and social background
3. the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Usage: grammar

1. preceding in time or order; previous
Usage: formal

Examples

• The economic crisis was an antecedent to the political upheaval.
• Her family antecedents included several prominent lawyers.
• In the sentence ‘John lost his wallet,’ ‘John’ is the antecedent of ‘his.’
• The treaty was signed antecedent to the war’s end.
• Researchers studied the antecedent conditions that led to the outbreak.
• His criminal antecedents made him unsuitable for the position.
• The antecedent events shaped the outcome of the negotiations.