Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

precursor

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of precursor

1 one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
  • 18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics.
Synonyms of precursor

angel, foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, outrider
Words Related to precursor

foreboder, foreshadower, foretaste, forewarning

advertiser, announcer, blazoner, crier, proclaimer

courier, messenger, runner

augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent, prefiguring, presage

mark, sign, symptom

bellwether
2 something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
  • a precursor of the modern eggplant
Synonyms of precursor

ancestor, antecedent, archetype, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy (also grandaddy), predecessor, prototype
Words Related to precursor

model, original

originator, sire

father, mother
Near Antonyms of precursor

by-product, derivative, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off

daughter, son
Antonyms of precursor

descendant (also descendent)

Synonym Discussion of precursor

forerunner, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another. forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.
    • the blockade was the forerunner of war
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
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

Learn More about precursor

  1. See words that rhyme with precursor Dictionary: Definition of precursor Medical Dictionary: Definition of precursor Spanish Central: Translation of precursor Nglish: Translation of precursor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of precursor for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up precursor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games