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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
Former President Obama lauded Jackson as a precursor to his own path.
—
Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
Giraldo said Monday that Torres was one of the precursors of the church doctrine known as liberation theology.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
In 1996, DeKok was hired as a software developer at a company called Gandalf, which made equipment for ISDN, a precursor to broadband that enabled digital transmission of data over telephone lines.
—Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Feb. 2026
Every once in a while, the Film Independent Spirit Awards has been an Oscar precursor.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
Giraldo said Monday that Torres was one of the precursors of the church doctrine known as liberation theology.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
In 1996, DeKok was hired as a software developer at a company called Gandalf, which made equipment for ISDN, a precursor to broadband that enabled digital transmission of data over telephone lines.
—Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Feb. 2026
Every once in a while, the Film Independent Spirit Awards has been an Oscar precursor.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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And these projects may just be the forerunners.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Sheila Bridges also comes to mind as such a forerunner for our community, embracing the beauty of our heritage and culture.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Regardless of meaning, the markings should put these Stone Age human ancestors in a different light.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
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Private is the mystery incandescence of her nacre, coveting which the likes of us killed her ancestors to make buttons, souvenirs, entire garments for ritual dancers who sought to banish their demons with her magical inner light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At least two professors have warned that the Dominican Republic serves as a harbinger of what could happen in the United States.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
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Democratic victories in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey last November — and overperformances in recent special elections — may be a harbinger of things to come.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Listeria monocytogenes can survive and grow under refrigeration and may cause mild symptoms in healthy individuals but can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, or severe and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
26 Feb. 2026
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But the more-severe version is life-threatening, according to the FDA, and symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Clear skies, buttery soft sunshine and tender new plant growth herald the early days of spring, weeks before the rest of the country gets to experience any of it.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The decor is simple, especially in the bathroom, but there are a few signs of shipbuilder Fincantieri’s stylish Italian roots.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Winchester brothers were the prevailing ship — known as Wincest — in the early years, until Misha Collins’s awkward angel Castiel joined the show in season four.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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Channeling Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, the actress posed in angel wings and a pajama set from her clothing line, Florence by Mills, in an Instagram carousel.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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