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 tariffs case is thus a harbinger of the far-reaching executive-power problem of this era.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The surfers, initially viewed by some as welcome curiosities and by others as nuisances, became harbingers of economic salvation through tourism, now the dominant industry, though still a relatively new one.
    David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Those detours foreshadowed Paris, where the styling again backs away from surface-level pink and redistributes it to the interior.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Virginia gubernatorial contests foreshadowed Republican wins in 1993, 2009, and 2021.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, United Airlines announced hundreds of cuts through early next week, including 168 on Saturday; 158 on Sunday; 190 on Monday and 269 on Tuesday.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Marshawn Kneeland, who appeared in 18 games with the Dallas Cowboys since his 2024 NFL rookie season, died at the age of 24 Thursday, the team announced.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While proponents of wearable technology in prisons and jails have described it as potentially lifesaving, privacy rights groups and even law enforcement officials say the devices can raise ethical and legal concerns and urge agencies to establish strict rules on data use, retention and consent.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Newsom and other proponents said the retaliatory ballot measure was a way of fighting fire with fire.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 8 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
  • Lucas predicted after the season-opening win over Jacksonville that Reneau would emerge as the team’s leading scorer this season.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
  • City officials have struggled to predict water availability in the recent past, especially as the ongoing drought on the Colorado River has continued delivering terrible water years.
    Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 10 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 14 Nov. 2025.

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