1
as in forerunners
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 ancestors
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
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Recent Examples of precursors
Iran also spied on Iraqi positions with rudimentary precursors to drones, an early use of one of the regime’s most effective weapons in its attempt to blockade the strait.
—
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
In March, state media reported that China arrested seven people in an operation targeting traffickers of fentanyl precursors, according to the Reuters news agency.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Fixing Li-ion battery limits The method works under ambient conditions and relies on simple precursors.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
To be sure, the other precursors were all over the place, with Sinners’ Mosaku winning BAFTA, One Battle’s Teyana Taylor winning the Golden Globe and Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas winning some big critics prizes.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Scientists at Colossal have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Scientists at the company have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
For all the statistics, precursors and narratives that shape the race, the Academy still has a way of reminding everyone that the story isn’t finished until the final envelope is opened.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Through transforming domestic coal ash into high-value industrial materials, the company is creating downstream manufacturing of end-products such as paper and paper products, textiles, building and construction materials, carbon fiber precursors, automobile parts, airplane parts, and more.
—Nick Franck, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
In March, state media reported that China arrested seven people in an operation targeting traffickers of fentanyl precursors, according to the Reuters news agency.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Fixing Li-ion battery limits The method works under ambient conditions and relies on simple precursors.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
To be sure, the other precursors were all over the place, with Sinners’ Mosaku winning BAFTA, One Battle’s Teyana Taylor winning the Golden Globe and Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas winning some big critics prizes.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Scientists at Colossal have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Scientists at the company have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
For all the statistics, precursors and narratives that shape the race, the Academy still has a way of reminding everyone that the story isn’t finished until the final envelope is opened.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Through transforming domestic coal ash into high-value industrial materials, the company is creating downstream manufacturing of end-products such as paper and paper products, textiles, building and construction materials, carbon fiber precursors, automobile parts, airplane parts, and more.
—Nick Franck, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursors
Noun
-
The Norwegian ended his season before the Olympics to further recover from a shoulder injury, but attended the finals as one of the forerunners, who test a course shortly before a race starts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
These were the forerunners of today’s robots.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The find provides the first direct fossil evidence that early mammal ancestors laid eggs.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But did the earliest ancestors of mammals also reproduce through eggs?—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Forty percent of Americans have their daily lives interrupted by uncomfortable bowel symptoms, according to the American Gastroenterological Association.—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Baking soda and vinegar sprays handle odors and stains without harsh chemicals, which can actually worsen allergy symptoms for some people.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If popular wine auction results are truly harbingers of pendulum swings in the world of wine, then Cabernet Franc is having a moment.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These harbingers of doom turn out to be on to something, because shortly after, the couple are in an accident in which Jakob is killed.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An oil painting on angels on Spelling’s wall inspired the show title, and the speaker box on Spelling’s desk morphed into the idea of Charlie’s speaker.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Original angels Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith were joined by Cheryl Ladd, who first signed in for duty during the show's second season.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But oil prices fell overnight amid signs that peace talks could continue despite the blockade.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Under the law, as long as the baby is less than two months old and there are no signs of abuse, parents can anonymously drop them off at a hospital, fire station, or freestanding emergency room.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After years of competing for quarters in the arcades, two of the heralds of the video game age are working in tandem.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 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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His deputies and outriders are not quite so deft.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Churchill Downs outriders, jockey agents, jockeys Florent Geroux and Julian Leperoux, as well as members of Lukas' barn staff also sat in the crowd.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursors. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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