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
There are two countries on the world stage that stand out as the forerunners in the AI race: the U.S. and China.
—
Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The basic design mirrors the architecture of its forerunner from 2018.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2025
The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
German missile designers launched their V2 rocket for the first time—the forerunner of the ICBM that would blitz the United Kingdom—and Berlin’s Luftwaffe dominated European skies.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The basic design mirrors the architecture of its forerunner from 2018.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2025
The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
German missile designers launched their V2 rocket for the first time—the forerunner of the ICBM that would blitz the United Kingdom—and Berlin’s Luftwaffe dominated European skies.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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The beans are typically piled in wooden boxes or baskets, in which bacteria and fungi break down the beans’ pulpy coating, producing chemicals that generate flavor precursors within the beans.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, Ohtani’s preparing for a chance to clinch the team’s second consecutive NL pennant, the precursor of repeating as World Series champions.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One theory points to Buddhist monks, who would light lanterns on the 15th day of the holiday to honor Buddha—an act that evolved into a way for families to pay tribute to ancestors.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
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First Alert 4 reported that this counterfeit note was marked as ancestor money, a symbolic bill burned as a ritual offering in Chinese culture.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These could be harbingers of bigger things to come.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
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That period has coincided with data releases indicating a sharp labor market slowdown, which some observers consider a harbinger of a possible recession.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark A prototype for many parks that have been fashioned after it (most notably Disney’s theme parks), Tivoli Gardens has been an escape for Danes and tourists since its gates first opened in 1843.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
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Cartweel Robotics aims to debut its full-body walking Yogi prototype at the Humanoids Summit held in Silicon Valley this December.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Emma put down the supe uprising, but then psychotic fascist Homelander showed up to condemn them as villains and herald the murderous Cate and Sam as top students and potential recruits for the thoroughly corrupt Seven.—
EW Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As early as 2014, scientists had discovered signs of sea star wasting disease in at least twenty species across the Pacific coast.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
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To Be Nervous Almost everyone gets some sign of jitters before speaking, even seasoned pros.—
Nathan Green,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ratajkowski was given angel wings for her debut, shaped like an orchid flower.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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Watching over Arj is an angel named Gabriel, whose duty is to keep people who text and drive from getting in a wreck.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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