heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances
Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence
The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Like Conerly, Simmons could challenge Moore for the left tackle spot and be the heir apparent at the position.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Lorenzo Bertelli, one of Mr. Bertelli and Mrs. Prada’s two sons, is chief marketing officer and considered the heir apparent to the company, which was founded in 1913 by Mrs. Prada’s grandfather.
—Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Thailand has some of the world’s strictest lese majeste laws, and criticizing the king, queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each offense.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Or maybe the Chargers would be wise to find an heir apparent for Mack, a pass-rushing demon who could replace the 34-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, who was the NFL’s 2016 Defensive Player of the Year while with the then-Oakland Raiders.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Lorenzo Bertelli, one of Mr. Bertelli and Mrs. Prada’s two sons, is chief marketing officer and considered the heir apparent to the company, which was founded in 1913 by Mrs. Prada’s grandfather.
—Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Thailand has some of the world’s strictest lese majeste laws, and criticizing the king, queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each offense.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Or maybe the Chargers would be wise to find an heir apparent for Mack, a pass-rushing demon who could replace the 34-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, who was the NFL’s 2016 Defensive Player of the Year while with the then-Oakland Raiders.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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