Thesaurus results for PREFIGURE

prefigure

verb

ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər

Definition of prefigure

as in to foreshadow

to give a slight indication of beforehand the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 prefigure Projected on an obelisk, this narrowest of histories prefigured the commemorative distortions to follow. — Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026 Alpina was acquired by BMW in 2022, and the first hint of its future was revealed in the form of the Vision BMW Alpina—a design study which prefigures the brand’s new model, which will go to production next year. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 21 May 2026 That prefigured, in a much smaller and less consequential way, Iran’s own actions in blocking the Strait of Hormuz during the current crisis. — Ioana Emy Matesan, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026 The horror has come now like a storm— what if this night prefigured the night after death— what if all thereafter was an eternal quivering on the edge of an abyss, with everything base and vicious in oneself urging one forward and the baseness and viciousness of the world just ahead. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefigure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefigure

Verb

His performance and leadership could foreshadow a dramatic improvement in Mizzou’s subpar passing game last season.

— PJ Green September 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
And his cynical dealings in Washington foreshadowed a toxification of US politics that now runs rampant.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of foreshadow

Verb

At the same time, from the laboratory’s point of view, gravity is pulling the same falling phase down, so its wave should pick up a specific amount of phase predicted by the theory.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Combining two of the three largest US carriers would transform the country’s aviation industry to such an extent that many analysts predicted regulators would never clear such a deal.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of predict

Verb

Similarly, the Broncos just missed out in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, which, as the name implies, coaches across FBS vote on — including Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026
The investment bank's forecast implies a roughly 20% increase in the cost of Brent crude, the international benchmark, which is trading at nearly $100 a barrel.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of imply

Verb

Enciso can be the bustling out-ball, the tenacious, front-footed defender and provide the moments of individual brilliance to get Ipswich out of the relegation trouble many anticipate.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Rather, the neural signals associated with threat detection and pain were most acute when people were merely anticipating the test.

— Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of anticipate

Browse Nearby Words

prefers

prefigure

prefigured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prefigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefigure. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prefigure

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes