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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of precursors
And the precursors for that reality may already be in motion, Metzger noted.
—
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
While every relationship faces challenges, certain patterns consistently appear as precursors to deeper dysfunction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 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
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
While every relationship faces challenges, certain patterns consistently appear as precursors to deeper dysfunction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 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
-
During the trials, some participants experienced nausea and an upset stomach, but investigators found that dividing up the pills, instead of taking all four at once, and swallowing them with orange juice instead of water, helped relieve the symptoms.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Following years of pain and health issues, countless MRIs and frustrating misdiagnoses, in 2013 she was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial illness largely transmitted by ticks and causing symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue and food sensitivity.—
Leena Tailor,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The findings suggest that alcohol is a regular part of a chimpanzee’s diet and may have been a part of our human ancestors’ diets.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Scientists are similarly investigating endophytes of ancient wheat varieties, which, like corn’s ancestors, are more disease-resistant than modern varieties.—
Anna Marija Helt,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of the most worrisome harbingers of future affordability is that Florida added more than 700,000 units with gross rents higher than $1,200 monthly between 2012 and 2022.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Norway’s princess, Märtha Louise, claims to be a clairvoyant who can communicate with angels.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But that money only flows to founders who know how to approach angels right.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Investors flocked to bonds because of signs of a slowdown in the labor market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
On the flip side, secrecy triggers hypervigilance, where one partner obsessively scans for signs of deception or hidden threats, and naturally so given the suspicious nature of the matter.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share