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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursors
Its supply chain spans continents — chemical precursors from China, synthesized in Mexico, and transported across the southern border in quantities small enough to evade traditional enforcement — before spreading into communities far from any border.
—
Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Since its membership is entirely international, the awards sometimes reflect the taste of an increasingly global Academy better than guild precursors like the SAG Awards or DGAs.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Those materials include sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate precursors and nitrocellulose, all key components in solid-fuel rocket motors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
But as the precursors have rolled in, co-star Benicio Del Toro — playing a character the audience loves and roots for — has swept nearly every major critics group.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Dec. 2025
The movie and the Rutles' two soundtrack albums are considered precursors to Reiner's own 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, a comedy that follows a fictional heavy metal band called Spinal Tap.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Still, there are ways to support the function of its precursors and improve mitochondrial function.
—Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
Drug policy experts say that much of the fentanyl that feeds the American market is smuggled in from Mexico, but that the precursors for making the synthetic opioid are made in China.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
People who are malnourished for an extended period of time, have diseases of the GI tract that impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and those whose diet is low in vitamin A or its precursors can develop a deficiency.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2025
Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Since its membership is entirely international, the awards sometimes reflect the taste of an increasingly global Academy better than guild precursors like the SAG Awards or DGAs.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Those materials include sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate precursors and nitrocellulose, all key components in solid-fuel rocket motors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
But as the precursors have rolled in, co-star Benicio Del Toro — playing a character the audience loves and roots for — has swept nearly every major critics group.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Dec. 2025
The movie and the Rutles' two soundtrack albums are considered precursors to Reiner's own 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, a comedy that follows a fictional heavy metal band called Spinal Tap.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Still, there are ways to support the function of its precursors and improve mitochondrial function.
—Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
Drug policy experts say that much of the fentanyl that feeds the American market is smuggled in from Mexico, but that the precursors for making the synthetic opioid are made in China.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
People who are malnourished for an extended period of time, have diseases of the GI tract that impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and those whose diet is low in vitamin A or its precursors can develop a deficiency.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursors
Noun
-
Like these forerunners, the pleasures of Knight’s A Thousand Blows, which premiered all six episodes of its second season on Hulu Friday, lies in looking back on that thin sliver of time, about 15 years ago, when anachronistic old-timey crime was in vogue.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The primacy of a central meeting space can be traced to the Greek Empire with the agora, among other forerunners.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Susanne Hammel-Sawyer grew up in Santa Barbara knowing nearly nothing about the traditions of her Chumash ancestors.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In October 2024, the lab firm used genealogical mapping, in which unidentified DNA is traced to relatives and ancestors to produce a more precise genetic profile and possible identity, to point to Contreras, according to the affidavit.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At first, doctors sent them home from the hospital with instructions to monitor her symptoms.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
State health officials urged anyone who develops symptoms to immediately contact their local health department and remain at home unless seeking medical care.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Eclipses are harbingers of change, often bringing intense shifts in perspective and catapulting us into new realities.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Few harbingers are more promising than the Swedish singer and producer Robyn.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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And the sensual images these verses bring to mind—nightingales and angels and silks—make this collection ideal for evenings beside the hearth.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
-
The story of a guiding star, a host of angels and a virgin birth?—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The rich-looking denim alternative was a big trend in 2025, with co-signs from Hailey Bieber and Martha Stewart.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Foundation Issues Cracks, gaps, and other signs of foundation settlement are sure to scare potential buyers according to Sain Rhodes, a real estate professional and a customer success manager at Clever Offers.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Thy Kingdom Come’s entrance heralds 10 total appearances for the album’s tracks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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 Jan. 2026.
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