heir apparent

[air uh-pair-uhnt, uh-par-] / ˈɛər əˈpɛər ənt, əˈpær- /

NOUN

person expected to take over

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crown prince

WEAK

apparent heir heir expectant

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.

Haftar, 82, and his sons -- including Saddam, his heir apparent -- will attend the display of firepower on May 19, along with foreign and Libyan officials.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

And they knew just how they wanted to spend that luxury asset—which is why Ty Simpson is now the heir apparent to an offensive juggernaut.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Instead of adding a player who could be an immediate contributor to their Super Bowl aspirations, the Rams drafted Matthew Stafford heir apparent Ty Simpson.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

I had an informal meeting with him in the UK recently and I asked him then whether he really was heir apparent to the Apple throne.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Instead the Fowl heir apparent crossed to the monitor wall and followed developments from there.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer