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
While every relationship faces challenges, certain patterns consistently appear as precursors to deeper dysfunction.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Commonly used to treat vaginal atrophy during menopause, DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and, in some women, has been shown to elevate testosterone levels.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
This may be a precursor to Apple introducing smart glasses.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Armani’s foray into the food and beverage world in 1998 served as a precursor to his interior design endeavors but greatly established his design vision.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Commonly used to treat vaginal atrophy during menopause, DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and, in some women, has been shown to elevate testosterone levels.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
This may be a precursor to Apple introducing smart glasses.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Armani’s foray into the food and beverage world in 1998 served as a precursor to his interior design endeavors but greatly established his design vision.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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Schuyler, who a decade ago sold her company, Epitome Pictures, to DHX Media, a forerunner of Wild Brain Entertainment, was not available for comment on Wednesday.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The norm is for ancient dugouts found in southern Florida to be linked to ancestors of the Calusa, the Seminole or the Miccosukee, according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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This provides excellent evidence that all life on Earth shares one common ancestor.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While pumpkin spice menu options are the harbinger of fall and Labor Day officially marks its beginning, the start of football season is the true nail in the coffin for summer.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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Whether one or both of McDaniels and Campbell pass that test will offer a good harbinger of what’s to come from their offense, which should be dogged by iffy pass protection all season long.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Karapetyan initially treated her symptoms as a psychological condition with antidepressants, under the care of her primary doctor.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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The symptoms begin with a visit by FBI agents.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Deadpool and John Wick director David Leitch and Bullet Train producer Kelly McCormick’s 87North, and Bill Bindley and Mike Karz’s Gulfstream Pictures (Upgraded), which financed the movie.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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Chinese research ships often trespass into Exclusive Economic Zones, and are now seen as a herald to a sovereignty challenge.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Flowers — purple mums, white and yellow lilies, and pink roses — had been laid near the university sign.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These white ensembles with feather motifs rendered the models like angels on earth.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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As the show went on, the Winchester brothers uncovered a much larger battle between heaven and hell, joined by Castiel (Misha Collins), an angel who becomes their ally and family, and often clashing with figures like Crowley (Mark Sheppard), the witty king of hell.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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