Precedented

The adjective 'precedented' describes something that has a prior example or established model. It indicates that a particular action, event, or decision has happened before, often serving as a point of reference or justification for subsequent occurrences. Being unprecedented, the opposite, means something is new, novel, or without historical parallel. 'Precedented' implies conformity to established norms, laws, or conventions, providing a sense of predictability and continuity. Legal and political contexts frequently use 'precedented' to determine the validity or fairness of a ruling based on similar past events. It is important to examine the specific context of a situation to understand the nuances of the definition.

Precedented meaning with examples

• The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, citing a long line of precedented cases where similar circumstances had led to similar judgments. This ensured consistency within the legal system, adhering to past interpretations and reinforcing established doctrines. The judges believed the prior cases firmly validated their decision.
• The CEO's decision to implement remote work was precedented by a smaller pilot program conducted the previous year. The success of that program and the positive employee feedback provided a clear pathway for the widespread implementation, reducing risk.
• The historical treaty served as a precedented agreement between two nations, setting the stage for numerous future alliances. The established protocols within the initial accord became an important element, influencing later diplomatic arrangements. Without the treaty, further discussions would have been difficult.
• Due to its precedented efforts by other scientific communities, the group managed to develop a model to predict future global temperatures. The established research framework was useful for the analysis, and it helped to ensure the results were in the proper order.