Thesaurus results for HARBINGER

Q: How is the word 'harbinger' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of harbinger are forerunner , herald , and precursor . While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event. // their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season // the herald of a new age in medicine

Q: When would 'forerunner' be a good substitute for 'harbinger'?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage. // the blockade was the forerunner of war

Q: When could 'precursor' be used to replace 'harbinger'?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another. // 18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

Q: How is the word 'harbinger' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of harbinger are forerunner , herald , and precursor . While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event. // their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season // the herald of a new age in medicine

Q: When would 'forerunner' be a good substitute for 'harbinger'?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage. // the blockade was the forerunner of war

Q: When could 'precursor' be used to replace 'harbinger'?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another. // 18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

harbinger 1 of 2

noun

ˈhär-bən-jər

Definition of harbinger next

as in herald

one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another her father's successful job interview was seen as a harbinger of better times to come

Synonyms & Similar Words

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harbinger

2 of 2

verb

as in to herald

to give a slight indication of beforehand the hope that the housing slump does not harbinger a general economic recession

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word harbinger distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of harbinger are forerunner, herald, and precursor. While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season

the herald of a new age in medicine

When would forerunner be a good substitute for harbinger?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When could precursor be used to replace harbinger?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

How is the word harbinger distinct from other similar nouns?

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season

the herald of a new age in medicine

When would forerunner be a good substitute for harbinger?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When could precursor be used to replace harbinger?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of harbinger

Noun

But a social media narrative, especially among left-wing influencers, is that City Councilman Andy Thomson’s astoundingly close five-vote win in the race for mayor is another sign of a great blue Democratic wave sweeping the country, a harbinger of trouble for Republicans in November. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026 The data about using the drug in people before a first heart attack were presented at the AHA’s scientific session in November 2025, too late for the guidelines but a harbinger of research to come. —

Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026 Today, Score is a harbinger of a new kind of digital-era book deal. —

Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 In addition to the trout lily, Georgia’s spring ephemerals include bloodroot, toothwort, harbinger of spring, wild geranium, blue cohosh, twinleaf, May-apple, Virginia bluebell, celandine poppy, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, wood anemone, windflower, bleeding heart, phacelia and more. —

Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbinger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbinger

Noun

John Tufts Spring is getting closer, and so is the full Worm Moon, a herald of the changing seasons.

— John Tufts, IndyStar, 24 Feb. 2026
Clear skies, buttery soft sunshine and tender new plant growth herald the early days of spring, weeks before the rest of the country gets to experience any of it.

— Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 21 Feb. 2026