Thesaurus results for PREFIGURE

prefigure

verb

ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər

Definition of prefigure

as in to foreshadow

to give a slight indication of beforehand the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of prefigure Projected on an obelisk, this narrowest of histories prefigured the commemorative distortions to follow. — Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026 Alpina was acquired by BMW in 2022, and the first hint of its future was revealed in the form of the Vision BMW Alpina—a design study which prefigures the brand’s new model, which will go to production next year. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 21 May 2026 That prefigured, in a much smaller and less consequential way, Iran’s own actions in blocking the Strait of Hormuz during the current crisis. — Ioana Emy Matesan, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026 The horror has come now like a storm— what if this night prefigured the night after death— what if all thereafter was an eternal quivering on the edge of an abyss, with everything base and vicious in oneself urging one forward and the baseness and viciousness of the world just ahead. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefigure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefigure

Verb

But a narrow overtime loss to the Detroit Lions in the season opener foreshadowed the difficult road ahead.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
And the angelic youth Dorian Gray’s deadly descent into vanity and vice—ignited by a hubristic obsession with his own image—eerily foreshadows the grim trajectory of Wilde’s later years.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of foreshadow

Verb

Sabbagh predicts this could transform the space industry from having less than 10 million users of mobile satellite services to being able to reach billions of users.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Some predicted the ad was likely to draw more empathy and interest in Acton from voters, and turn them away from Ramaswamy.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of predict

Verb

Because light obeys a superposition principle even under classical physics, this experimental breakthrough doesn’t imply that Schrödinger’s equation necessarily applies to objects 12,900 kilometers wide.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But to imply that a world-class athlete is exaggerating an injury to preserve his reputation is a staggering lapse in judgment.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

Anderson was heralded as an interpreter of songs, like his friends and mentors Haggard and Jones.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
In his social media post, Means heralded those actions, as well as his efforts to reform dietary guidelines and his push for research into psychedelic medications.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of herald

Verb

The Duo could also prove more accessible than some industry watchers had anticipated.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Kif Leswing, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Some strategists, anticipating that the committee may raise flags, now try to get ahead of the process by submitting additional documentation, including filmmaker quotes and source materials, to explain why a film belongs in its intended category.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of anticipate

Browse Nearby Words

prefers

prefigure

prefigured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prefigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefigure. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prefigure

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

emissary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes