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
Brown may be Valdez’s heir apparent as the Astros’ ace.
—
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Just eight months after President Trump picked JD Vance to be his vice president, Vance is already positioned to be MAGA's heir apparent for 2028.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
The 22-year-old playmaker could be an effective complement to Adam Thielen, while also serving as his heir apparent.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
But Drake’s stronghold has also been endemic of another problem that hip-hop had been facing: as hip-hop turned 50 in 2023, the genre was in desperate need of an heir apparent.
—Taylor Crumpton, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heir apparent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Just eight months after President Trump picked JD Vance to be his vice president, Vance is already positioned to be MAGA's heir apparent for 2028.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
The 22-year-old playmaker could be an effective complement to Adam Thielen, while also serving as his heir apparent.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
But Drake’s stronghold has also been endemic of another problem that hip-hop had been facing: as hip-hop turned 50 in 2023, the genre was in desperate need of an heir apparent.
—Taylor Crumpton, TIME, 7 Feb. 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 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share