1
as in forerunner
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics
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2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
Nor have Chinese authorities aggressively prosecuted the traders who sell the precursors to illicit-drug networks.
—
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Michael Gann, who lives in Inwood, New York, ordered precursor chemicals, which can be combined to create an explosive mixture, online and formulated the seven IEDs, the indictment says.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
As well as the direct effects, a cooling housing market can also signal deeper problems and, as certain economists have recently warned, serves as a potential precursor to a wider economic downturn.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Michael Gann, who lives in Inwood, New York, ordered precursor chemicals, which can be combined to create an explosive mixture, online and formulated the seven IEDs, the indictment says.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
As well as the direct effects, a cooling housing market can also signal deeper problems and, as certain economists have recently warned, serves as a potential precursor to a wider economic downturn.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Gilligan, who also created Saul’s forerunner Breaking Bad, will serve as writer and showrunner.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
25 July 2025
Noun
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And yet, for us, the memory of our ancestors’ strength and courage during times even more trying than ours is a grounding force.—
Brad Riew,
People.com,
29 July 2025
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That was how your ancestors lived for almost all of human history.—
John C. Goodman,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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For Adcock, the shows are both a promise fulfilled and a hopeful harbinger of what is to come.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
30 July 2025
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Meanwhile, some on the right are celebrating the campaign for allegedly doing just that, calling the spots yet another harbinger of the death of woke.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The term usually refers to a cluster of symptoms—disordered thinking, hallucinations, and delusions—often seen in conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.—
Robert Hart,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
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Know the red flags: Understand the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Julia Garner portrays the villainous herald the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson is the world-eating giant Galactus.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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In an alternate universe, Shalla-Bal becomes the Silver Surfer herald for Galactus instead.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Although tests show swimming is sometimes safe in Wethersfield Cove, a sign warns about it in English and Spanish.—
Elijah Polance,
Hartford Courant,
3 Aug. 2025
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Now, read on for what this week has in store for your zodiac sign, per astrologer Kyle Thomas' PEOPLE exclusive readings!—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Blessed Virgin of Pompeii was built in 1904; it was known for the pink bricks it was built from and the statue of an angel that stood watch atop its steeple.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
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Its current structure was commissioned by Bishop Oliver King, who—according to legend—dreamt of angels climbing golden ladders to heaven: now immortalized on the Abbey’s West Front.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 11 Aug. 2025.
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