1
as in precursors
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 ancestors
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunners
Noun
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And the precursors for that reality may already be in motion, Metzger noted.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025 -
While every relationship faces challenges, certain patterns consistently appear as precursors to deeper dysfunction.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is where our ancestors died protecting a way of life.—
Richard B. Williams,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
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By this time, humans had arrived in North America, likely via the same Bering Land Bridge used by the lions’ ancestors.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With all of the appeal of a hiking boot in a smaller, lighter form factor, these Danner Trail 2650s pay homage to their beefier boot predecessors, just with some additional modern touches.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
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On the other hand, the new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models have a camera island that stretches across the entire top, back side of the phone as well as a new unibody frame that makes the phones feel both more robust and larger than their predecessors.—
Bob O’Donnell,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Deadpool and John Wick director David Leitch and Bullet Train producer Kelly McCormick’s 87North, and Bill Bindley and Mike Karz’s Gulfstream Pictures (Upgraded), which financed the movie.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 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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Only two prototypes were ever made before IAI's investors, considering the company risky after the Cat's market failure and little money coming in, finally pulled the plug and caused the company to shut down in 1992.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
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The analytics community has since poured gasoline on these prototypes, helping teams create blueprints for their scheme based on size and measureables.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As of Monday, the Facebook post reached almost 10,000 likes, more than 3,000 shares and over 1,100 comments, with people hailing the couple as angels.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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Churchill Downs outriders, jockey agents, jockeys Florent Geroux and Julian Leperoux, as well as members of Lukas' barn staff also sat in the crowd.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
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By contrast, during a recent visit to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, in July, the king's convoy included four cars and three police motorcycle outriders.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Investors flocked to bonds because of signs of a slowdown in the labor market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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On the flip side, secrecy triggers hypervigilance, where one partner obsessively scans for signs of deception or hidden threats, and naturally so given the suspicious nature of the matter.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Forerunners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunners. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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