variants
also grandaddy
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the granddaddy of all English mystery novels
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
The granddaddy of the city’s culinary scene isn’t some starchy, white-tablecloth restaurant, though.
—
Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Then there’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the granddaddy of the major indices.
—Moneyshow, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Now, there is (to our knowledge) no official record — there is certainly no official method for timing applause — but it’s roundly considered that Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth is the granddaddy of them all at 22 minutes.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Then there’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the granddaddy of the major indices.
—Moneyshow, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Now, there is (to our knowledge) no official record — there is certainly no official method for timing applause — but it’s roundly considered that Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth is the granddaddy of them all at 22 minutes.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
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Such cooperative behavior to defend from predators like raptors may have first evolved in our ancestors.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral. 20.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Here is a look at some of the most likely forerunners to serve as the 267th pope, according to public reporting.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Graydon also wanted to enlist Jane Sarkin, his VF predecessor Tina Brown’s longtime celebrity wrangler, who was well known for her formidable Rolodex of agents and publicists.—
Michael Grynbaum,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
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Several of Trump’s predecessors have also gone on state visits to the U.K.—
Brendan Rascius
July 14,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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