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
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 The show’s camera language has slowly opened up to be more dynamic, more open to movement, more open to the change in society that Season 3 heralds. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
The duo has a fresh start on a new show, heralding in a new era while still honoring the past. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 As a conservative nationalist Takaichi’s elevation to prime minister could herald more strained ties with neighbors such as China and South Korea which both suffered at the hands of Japanese invaders and occupiers before and during World War II. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • But advocates argue the AI has to be compared to the alternative.
    NPR, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Public health advocates are also pushing to expand the scope of practice for dental therapists, mid-level providers who can perform fillings and extractions under supervision.
    Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The first biography of James Schuyler suggests that his tendency to withdraw was both a harbinger of his disabling mood disorder and the wellspring of his shimmering poetry.
    Langdon Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Keep an eye on these state elections Could these statewide elections be harbingers of what's to come in the 2026 midterms?
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The news division also laid off about one hundred people earlier this week, though the cuts were foreshadowed months ago, well before Weiss was hired.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The film’s most unsettling scenes connect Hans' murder spree with the bloodlust of the German public, foreshadowing the Nazis’ rise to power just a few years later.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ryan Murphy has announced the main cast of the upcoming 13th season of American Horror Story, which will feature Ariana Grande making her debut on the show alongside series regulars such as Evan Peters and Emma Roberts.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Jamaican government announced that a consortium of international organizations, including charities like Mercy Corps and Haiti Air Ambulance, with expertise in disaster relief and recovery, have arrived in the country and are working with the Jamaica Defense Force.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An early proponent in the direct-to-consumer beauty space, Glossier entered wholesale in 2023 and has since expanded into key markets like France via Sephora and Space NK.
    Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The nascent market is currently led by the likes of Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, and proponents say the technology can ease air traffic congestion.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Perfected by forerunners such as Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, this fall has already seen two music stars gift us with lay-it-all-out-there lyrics.
    Dan Heching, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The Park cinema launched under the ownership of Cineplex Odeon Cinemas, a forerunner of Cineplex and today an operator of multiplexes and out of home destinations.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • China has agreed to allow the export of chips critical to auto production, averting widespread shutdowns that had been predicted by the industry.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Due to these supply challenges of the Thanksgiving birds, AFBF predicts turkey prices will be up 40 percent from 2024.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The country’s electoral authority, stacked with Maduro sympathizers, proclaimed him the winner amid allegations of vote-rigging, which the government denied.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But despite what this postcard proclaimed, there was no colonnade along it.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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