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
Relevance
2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 precursor
The event is a precursor to the major United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, next month.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Some people in this group had Alzheimer’s dementia, others had what is called mild cognitive impairment of the Alzheimer’s type (which is sometimes a precursor to the disease) while another group with no evidence of dementia or cognitive decline served as a control.
—Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
Going forward, Fraser hopes Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service could be a precursor to similar spin-offs.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
This is not a precursor to returning to an insider role, but rather a way to raise money for the school’s NIL, which the vast majority of the revenue will go toward.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Some people in this group had Alzheimer’s dementia, others had what is called mild cognitive impairment of the Alzheimer’s type (which is sometimes a precursor to the disease) while another group with no evidence of dementia or cognitive decline served as a control.
—Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
Going forward, Fraser hopes Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service could be a precursor to similar spin-offs.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
This is not a precursor to returning to an insider role, but rather a way to raise money for the school’s NIL, which the vast majority of the revenue will go toward.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
-
Half of those tested had osteoporosis or a forerunner condition, osteopenia.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Compared to their forerunners in the tsarist era, with their party congresses held abroad, their executive committees, and their active recruitment in imperial Russia’s universities, Soviet dissidents remained a comparatively small and informal conglomeration of activists.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One theory points to Buddhist monks, who would light lanterns on the 15th day of the holiday to honor Buddha—an act that evolved into a way for families to pay tribute to ancestors.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
-
First Alert 4 reported that this counterfeit note was marked as ancestor money, a symbolic bill burned as a ritual offering in Chinese culture.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Another harbinger is that the annual ski movies are coming soon to a theater or brewpub near you.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
-
These could be harbingers of bigger things to come.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Avoid high-fat, high-fiber, or anti-nutrient foods that may worsen symptoms or block nutrient absorption.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Participants self-reported their mental health symptoms and soda intake, and researchers analyzed stool samples to assess their gut bacteria.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Emma put down the supe uprising, but then psychotic fascist Homelander showed up to condemn them as villains and herald the murderous Cate and Sam as top students and potential recruits for the thoroughly corrupt Seven.—
EW Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Perri told him that was a sign of his brain rewiring.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ratajkowski was given angel wings for her debut, shaped like an orchid flower.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Watching over Arj is an angel named Gabriel, whose duty is to keep people who text and drive from getting in a wreck.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share