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

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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of harbinger

Noun

Sports were reaching front pages of newspapers, and the creation of Sports Illustrated in 1954 was another harbinger of access that blended the power of the visual element in sports coverage. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026 The renovation is a harbinger of the revitalization going on in downtown Anchorage. —

Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026 Special election was 'harbinger for Democratic enthusiasm' The polling numbers may not play out, but the voter turnout for Shawn Harris in Georgia's 14th district earlier this month bodes well for Democrats across the state. —

Irene Wright, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026 In recent years, there have also been reports of vandalism and attacks on robotaxis and delivery robots, which some see as harbingers of a high-tech future not everyone asked for. —

Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbinger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbinger

Noun

For example, NanoClaw was a herald for what agents should look like in the future.

— Sumeet Vaidya, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
After years of competing for quarters in the arcades, two of the heralds of the video game age are working in tandem.

— Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026