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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
At the same time, thousands of British troops gathered on Staten Island as a precursor to the Battle of Long Island.
—
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 July 2025
In 1983, a dentist in Michigan executed the world’s first online trade from his home computer, sending an order through Trade Plus—a precursor to E*Trade.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The tentative agreement is expected to serve as a precursor to more challenging financial discussions about additional reductions in the months ahead.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 July 2025
In 1983, a dentist in Michigan executed the world’s first online trade from his home computer, sending an order through Trade Plus—a precursor to E*Trade.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The tentative agreement is expected to serve as a precursor to more challenging financial discussions about additional reductions in the months ahead.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Little vs. Hecox, which began in 2020 when Idaho became a forerunner for states with laws that ban trans athletes in women's and girls' sports.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 July 2025
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For some years, the Octagon was home to Ohio’s militia, a forerunner to today’s National Guard; during the summer, soldiers would erect tents and practice training exercises.—
Kevin Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Such cooperative behavior to defend from predators like raptors may have first evolved in our ancestors.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The result served as a harbinger to motion picture studios to avoid anime big screen adaptation.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
27 June 2025
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But some of the museum’s fans saw their sudden disappearance as a harbinger of worse things to come.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Familiarize yourself with warning signs: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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Some other studies have found positive neurological effects that creatine might have in reducing symptoms related to Huntington’s disease, though those early tests have not stood up to repeat trials.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Discover Magazine,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Together, the quartet battled Julian McMahon Doctor Victor von Doom before reuniting for the sequel, 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which introduced Doug Jones as the Silver Surfer, the cosmic herald of the world-devouring space god Galactus.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
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Once again the plot bent toward total transformations of the Republic, accompanied by the thrilling heralds of Trump’s imminent downfall.—
Matthew Karp,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Lawn will show signs when something isn't right and its care needs aren't being met.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
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Isaacman is a friend of Elon Musk, and the move was seen as the first sign of the rift between Trump and Musk that widened as the two men publicly feuded over a sweeping tax and spending package central to Trump’s second term agenda.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The shepherds were visited by an angel and guided to the infant king.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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Showrunner Tony Tost was truly an angel, and everyone on board were such freak-ass nerds about TV and cinema, and were so excited to share all these reference points with me, like Colombo.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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