1
as in precursor
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
the return of the swallows is traditionally regarded as a forerunner of spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
enjoyed the demonstration of the simple hand loom that was the forerunner of today's computer-controlled looms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forerunner
Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 July 2025
His band may be forerunners in this respect, but Allen recognizes that the attention is paying off for all of his Alabama contemporaries.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
Those who appear in Green’s piece would do well to examine their forerunners, who can provide guidance about how to debate while harboring differences of opinion and belief.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 July 2025
His band may be forerunners in this respect, but Allen recognizes that the attention is paying off for all of his Alabama contemporaries.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
Those who appear in Green’s piece would do well to examine their forerunners, who can provide guidance about how to debate while harboring differences of opinion and belief.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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Events once considered rare—like the 2003 Northeast blackout that hit 50 million people—are now seen as precursors of larger disruptions.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Armani’s foray into the food and beverage world in 1998 served as a precursor to his interior design endeavors but greatly established his design vision.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Alcohol is a big part of those rituals in terms of paying respect to your ancestors or the dead.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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But the staff at the Indian Community School were nurturing and respectful while the students learned about their ancestors' heritage.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While pumpkin spice menu options are the harbinger of fall and Labor Day officially marks its beginning, the start of football season is the true nail in the coffin for summer.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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Trump described the city as a harbinger of what unchecked migration could mean for America.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The prototype is built using commercially available parts, including micro-LED lights, optical lenses, and sensors from smartphone cameras, keeping costs down and making future mass production feasible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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Working together, the plant teams agreed to accept shorter lead times for receiving prototypes in return for designs with fewer problems.—
Nelson P. Repenning,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Old Henry director Potsy Ponciroli.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Thy Kingdom Come’s entrance heralds 10 total appearances for the album’s tracks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgery involves cutting away thin layers of the skin until there are no signs of cancer.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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There are early signs that Alonso will bring the best out of him.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The idea that that's now a thing that angels have to get involved with because so many people are texting and driving.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Horns blare, and an angel appears floating above the chaos.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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