Synonyms of herald

herald 1 of 2

noun

ˈher-əld 

1

as in advocate

a person who actively supports or favors a cause

an outspoken herald of prison reform

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advocate
• proponent
• supporter
• advocator
• exponent
• apostle
• champion
• booster
• white knight
• protagonist
• promoter
• friend
• hierophant
• paladin
• true believer
• high priest
• espouser
• expounder
• tub-thumper
• stalwart
• gospeler
• backer
• disciple
• loyalist
• adherent
• interpreter
• cohort
• partisan
• cheerleader
• follower
• fellow traveler
• applauder
• encourager

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enemy
• adversary
• opponent
• antagonist
• rival
• foe
• critic
• belittler
• faultfinder

2

as in harbinger

one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another

the American robin—the herald of spring in the North

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harbinger
• forerunner
• precursor
• sign
• angel
• symptom
• outrider
• foretaste
• messenger
• presage
• forewarning
• foregoer
• announcer
• proclaimer
• portent
• omen
• advertiser
• foreshadowing
• crier
• courier
• runner
• augury
• foreboding
• bellwether
• foreboder
• prefiguring
• auspice
• boding
• foreshadower
• blazoner
• mark

herald

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to foreshadow

to give a slight indication of beforehand

the reshuffle of the company's management heralded the sweeping changes to come

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foreshadow
• predict
• imply
• prefigure
• harbinger
• anticipate
• adumbrate
• forerun
• foresee
• foretell
• suggest
• presage
• portend
• prophesy
• forecast
• prognosticate
• forewarn
• bode
• promise
• allude
• augur
• hint
• connote
• foreknow
• forebode
• intimate
• insinuate

2

as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly

herald the great tidings to all the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• announce
• proclaim
• publish
• declare
• advertise
• post
• promulgate
• broadcast
• publicize
• run with
• disclose
• promote
• reveal
• blare
• release
• trumpet
• blaze
• sound
• give out
• annunciate
• enunciate
• flash
• blazon
• beat the drum (for or about)
• report
• spread
• disseminate
• show
• placard
• bulletin
• introduce
• cry
• inform
• call (off or out)
• bark
• impart
• notify
• knell
• manifest
• ring
• toll
• feature
• gazette
• apprise
• bill
• puff
• divulge
• communicate
• billboard
• kithe
• hand down
• blurb
• advise
• intimate
• plug
• pitch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceal
• withhold
• suppress
• silence
• recall
• revoke
• hush (up)
• retract
• recant

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

Recent Examples of herald

Noun

This ground-hugging perennial heralds the arrival of spring with a regal display of fragrant blooms. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 May 2026

For example, NanoClaw was a herald for what agents should look like in the future. — Sumeet Vaidya, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

The positive outlook is that wide-scale humanoid adoption will herald an unprecedented era of global abundance, automating mundane and dangerous labor while ushering in post-scarcity societies. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026

Award-winning bagpiper Aaron Shaw heralded the groom’s arrival, a profound tribute to his family’s Scottish lineage and nod to Davis being an accomplished bagpiper himself. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

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