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
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
Most of the forerunners of modern Zionism saw themselves as secular.
—Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
Beretta traces its history to 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta (d. 1565), a rifle barrel maker in the small northern Italian town of Gardone, sold 185 arquebus barrels—a handheld long gun and a forerunner to the modern rifle—to the Republic of Venice.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The current tax extension bill could add substantially more to the deficit than its forerunner.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Most of the forerunners of modern Zionism saw themselves as secular.
—Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
Beretta traces its history to 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta (d. 1565), a rifle barrel maker in the small northern Italian town of Gardone, sold 185 arquebus barrels—a handheld long gun and a forerunner to the modern rifle—to the Republic of Venice.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The current tax extension bill could add substantially more to the deficit than its forerunner.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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By World Health Organization (WHO) standards established in 1994, this designates a person as having osteopenia — often a precursor to osteoporosis.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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Leverton said trends like western, cottagecore, Americana and conservative styles of dress, in general, were precursors to where things were the U.S. presidential election was heading last year.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Florentine society had changed a good deal since the days of their illustrious ancestor; noble blood had in fact become something of a liability.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
29 May 2025
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One of these two lineages is the ancestor of the present-day strains, while the other strain re-emerged over centuries in Europe and went extinct by the early 19th century.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
Noun
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So the fact that Xbox games are now free to land on any platform might be a harbinger of things to come, and this could give Microsoft a foundational head-start in the race toward a different future.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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As the United States withdraws and international institutions decay, their ordeal may be a harbinger of what is to come.—
Lynsey Addario,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Taking place in June 2023, American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans studies the story of when an American stock car Chevrolet Camaro competed against the futuristic Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in the grueling 24-hour challenge.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
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This is a polished-looking prototype but not necessarily a pending commercial product.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
28 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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Fans lined up early and made signs to catch a glimpse of the future star.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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To some, the shift may vindicate Trump's America First strategy — a sign that pressuring allies to increase defense spending is working.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Muslims believe that as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, an angel of God stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice in place of his son.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Signature brand pieces include amulets, angels, royal blue moonstones and more.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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