1
as in forerunner
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics
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2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
Chen Dong has strong spaceflight experience, having flown on the two-person Shenzhou 11 mission to the Tiangong 2 space lab—a smaller precursor to Tiangong—in 206.
—
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Some say that news is a precursor to a recession, but that seems very unlikely given the other economic news.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
The paintings are a precursor to Mexico’s famous catsta (caste) paintings — a genre invented to depict biracial families that was omnipresent during most of the 18th century.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Fried’s first start was rocky but mostly because the Yankees committed five errors behind him and the defensive miscues were overshadowed by the nine homers in a 20-9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers that was the precursor to the extensive torpedo bat discussion that even made network news.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Some say that news is a precursor to a recession, but that seems very unlikely given the other economic news.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
The paintings are a precursor to Mexico’s famous catsta (caste) paintings — a genre invented to depict biracial families that was omnipresent during most of the 18th century.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Fried’s first start was rocky but mostly because the Yankees committed five errors behind him and the defensive miscues were overshadowed by the nine homers in a 20-9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers that was the precursor to the extensive torpedo bat discussion that even made network news.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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The case was the forerunner to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno’s decision to snatch Elián from his cousin’s Little Havana home and reunite him with his dad in Cuba.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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Most of the forerunners of modern Zionism saw themselves as secular.—
Tamir Sorek,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The creature was an early common ancestor of platypuses and echidnas and the scientists used advanced scanning techniques to take a look at the bone's internal microstructure.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
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However, our ancient ancestors used a variety of different substances as sunscreen to protect themselves.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
1 May 2025
Noun
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So their arrival in the world of the New Avengers may be a harbinger of scary things to come.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
2 May 2025
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Was Clase’s poor showing against the New York Yankees in last season’s playoffs a harbinger of pending problems?—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Initial symptoms are tremors or other involuntary movements.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are similar to UTI symptoms but aren't caused by an infection.—
Brittany Dube,
Health,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Like the Marvel comics, Shalla-Bal is the herald of Galactus, a planet-devouring behemoth who is voiced by Ralph Ineson in the movie.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
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In the original comics, the Silver Surfer was Norrin Radd, a male astronomer from the planet Zenn-La who became the herald of Galactus.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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So Like most Taurus signs, Daphne is bullheaded and controlling regarding her three daughters — especially Milly.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
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Allowing imperfection to show—rather than keeping up appearances—is both a sign of intimacy and a precondition for it.—
Rhaina Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2025
Noun
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Each finger sported its own unique, cherubic nail art, with plump baby angels fluttering across her nails.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
12 May 2025
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The report shows that pre-seed investors, both angels and VCs, are demanding more than a compelling narrative.—
Carrie Rubinstein,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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