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
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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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Recent Examples of precursors
Events once considered rare—like the 2003 Northeast blackout that hit 50 million people—are now seen as precursors of larger disruptions.
—
Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky recommends against the precursors since much more evidence supports the finished product.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The moniker is a significant honor within the program and is bestowed upon the player who best exemplifies the values identified as precursors for success, both on and off the field.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The robotic design allows Rainbow to test a broader range of chemical precursors, which increases the chances of discovering novel and high-performing quantum dots.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
These compounds are typically synthesized from plant precursors, such as molecules derived from yams or soy, and formulated to mimic endogenous hormones.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
James Morgan, 33, pleaded guilty on April 21 in federal court in Milwaukee to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors — or chemicals that combine to create chlorine and chlorine gas, court records show.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Awareness of these facts has already animated politicians from China to California to regulate soot and pollutants that are precursors to ozone.
—Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2018
Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky recommends against the precursors since much more evidence supports the finished product.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The moniker is a significant honor within the program and is bestowed upon the player who best exemplifies the values identified as precursors for success, both on and off the field.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The robotic design allows Rainbow to test a broader range of chemical precursors, which increases the chances of discovering novel and high-performing quantum dots.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
These compounds are typically synthesized from plant precursors, such as molecules derived from yams or soy, and formulated to mimic endogenous hormones.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
James Morgan, 33, pleaded guilty on April 21 in federal court in Milwaukee to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors — or chemicals that combine to create chlorine and chlorine gas, court records show.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Awareness of these facts has already animated politicians from China to California to regulate soot and pollutants that are precursors to ozone.
—Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursors
Noun
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Consumers who have experienced adverse reactions after using these products should report their symptoms and product use to their health care providers, the agency said.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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But following her pregnancy, Alvarez was pained by how much her symptoms were affecting her family.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Andrea spends his free time here when not traveling the world performing, while his younger brother Alberto and his family quietly tend to the 300 acres of grain fields, vines, and olive trees, safeguarding the land their ancestors once farmed as sharecroppers.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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But the staff at the Indian Community School were nurturing and respectful while the students learned about their ancestors' heritage.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Paranoia-inducing fictions like Wells’s aside, the public came to view Martians not as monsters but as representatives of a higher civilization—as angels, even, at a time when new science was shaking old religious certainties.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Polar Wishes Collection Celebrate the season with traditional holiday motifs, such as light-up angels, presents, and snowmen.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgery involves cutting away thin layers of the skin until there are no signs of cancer.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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There are early signs that Alonso will bring the best out of him.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Old Henry director Potsy Ponciroli.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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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
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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
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By contrast, during a recent visit to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, in July, the king's convoy included four cars and three police motorcycle outriders.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursors. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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