herald 1 of 2

herald

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word herald distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of herald are forerunner, harbinger, 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

In what contexts can forerunner take the place of herald?

Although the words forerunner and herald have much in common, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When is it sensible to use precursor instead of herald?

While in some cases nearly identical to herald, 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of herald
Noun
In some alternate realities, both Norrin Radd and Shalla-Bal have served as heralds of Galactus. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 The authors of the Yale study sincerely see themselves as heralds of empirical science, whatever the political ramifications. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
And while electric vehicles have been heralded as a greener alternative, decades of advocacy and hundreds of billions of dollars in investment have yielded meager results. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 28 May 2025 The most recent casualties in the wearable wars were supposed to herald the AI hardware revolution. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • Many prominent advocates for excluding transgender girls from sports praised Dhillon’s actions last week as a bold move to protect cisgender girls from unfair competition.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Many advocates for homeless people argue that the encroachment law and camping ban end up criminalizing poverty, especially because the region’s shelter system has nowhere near enough space for everybody asking for beds.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • This late comeback against Jon Lester and an Athletics team that had looked like a powerhouse through the first half of the season foreshadowed the next two Octobers in K.C.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • These examples foreshadow this emerging path of development, distinct from the Industrial Age model of cheap-labor, high-scale manufacturing for export.
    Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • His final match as a professional footballer — Morton announced his sacking on September 19 — ended in a 1-0 defeat.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The new parents announced their son’s arrival a few days after his birth, sharing a joint Instagram post with a photo of the newborn sleeping next to a wooden sign.
    Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The administration's actions, including the revocation of thousands of student visas, have drawn concern over infringements on free speech, while proponents view the move as a long overdue federal response to concerns over antisemitism.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • The chief proponent of allowing hemp businesses to operate with further regulations in Springfield, Rep. La Shawn Ford, said lawmakers could not reach agreement over whether to ban or regulate hemp.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The forerunner of today’s sleek MacBook laptops was the PowerBook.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 June 2025
  • Frederick Ashton’s for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (the forerunner of the Royal Ballet) in 1952, with a resplendent Margot Fonteyn in the title role, put the ballet back into the mainstream repertory, though it wasn’t performed by the Royal from the mid-1960s to 2004.
    Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • There's no way to predict how future generations may view grief tech.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
  • Many commentators are already predicting a Versant-Global Networks merger.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Jordan Vidovic proclaimed that the RedHawks are the best team in Illinois to ever play the sport.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • Prior to the match, John McEnroe proclaimed that either would be the favorite against 14-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal, who was honored before the tournament with his footprint on Philippe-Chatrier.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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