as in to foreshadow
to give a slight indication of beforehand
the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prefigure
This early embrace of mechanical rhythm prefigured what would later become a foundation of hip-hop and electronic music.
—
Jose Valentino Ruiz, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
The widescreen, 35mm format prefigured IMAX and other high-density imagery in a way that still stuns on screen.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025
It is also prefigured (another Biblical device) by Pharaoh’s order, in Exodus, to kill all male babies born to Hebrew mothers.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Its extreme hostility to the very idea of liberal governance, its skepticism of democracy, and its faith in the primacy of the wealthy over the law all prefigured the way that Trump and Elon Musk would assail key functions of government in 2025.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for prefigure
Jose Valentino Ruiz, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
The widescreen, 35mm format prefigured IMAX and other high-density imagery in a way that still stuns on screen.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025
It is also prefigured (another Biblical device) by Pharaoh’s order, in Exodus, to kill all male babies born to Hebrew mothers.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Its extreme hostility to the very idea of liberal governance, its skepticism of democracy, and its faith in the primacy of the wealthy over the law all prefigured the way that Trump and Elon Musk would assail key functions of government in 2025.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for prefigure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefigure
Verb
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Opening with ominous footage of electrical towers and power lines trembling in high winds, the film swiftly foreshadows the disaster with drone shots of small towns surrounded by miles of forest.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
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Dido’s wonderfully operatic dying curse on her former lover foreshadows the future wars between her people and the descendants of the treacherous Trojans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bregman has been a key player for the team, but FanSided's Chris Landers predicts Bregman will not be back on the Red Sox next year.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Only 1 in 5 doctors accurately predicted their patients’ out-of-pocket costs, according to a 2021 JAMA investigation.—
Dr. Jill Grimes,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The palate walks a pleasant line between tart and sweet, the latter class of flavors implied by association more than any actual detectable sweetness.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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As their name implies, pygmy sperm whales are much smaller than their sperm whale relatives, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The reaction was limited as investors reasoned that the recent ADP data was weak enough for the Federal Reserve to justify a September rate cut, but not soft enough to herald a recession.—
Sean Conlon,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
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Vintage toys, tools, and grocery items share space with a second-floor book nook heralded by a cardboard cutout of Dolly Parton.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many had anticipated Sand would seek the governorship, launching his bid for the seat almost exactly one month after Reynolds announced her retirement.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Treasury anticipates issuing additional guidance on what exactly will fall under this carve-out.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prefigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefigure. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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