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
Chess by telegraph also prefigured chess played through other means of telecommunications.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2025
Tragedy strikes many times in this decades-spanning story, in many forms, but the defining event of Grainier’s life sees his home burned to the ground, an event that eerily prefigures the LA fires of early 2025.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The dynamic prefigured the White House of Bush 43, which the Veep largely staffed, and substantially dominated.
—Karl Vick, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
These opulent volumes prefigure the label’s high jewelry offering.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefigure
IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2025
Tragedy strikes many times in this decades-spanning story, in many forms, but the defining event of Grainier’s life sees his home burned to the ground, an event that eerily prefigures the LA fires of early 2025.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The dynamic prefigured the White House of Bush 43, which the Veep largely staffed, and substantially dominated.
—Karl Vick, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
These opulent volumes prefigure the label’s high jewelry offering.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefigure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefigure
Verb
-
Or maybe, as some eyebrow-raising posts on social media jokingly teased, foreshadowing a possible papal presidential run?—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
-
After Saturday’s game, Padres manager Craig Stammen kind of foreshadowed a second straight start at second base for Tatis.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These tools help predict how a candidate will handle challenges, collaborate, and fit into your team.—
Karla Vallecillo,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
At these critical points, theory predicts that entanglement may spike dramatically, but models often fail to describe what actually happens.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The have a few currant liqueurs in their lineup, but this one is produced, as the name implies, from an older variety from Burgundy, the birthplace of French cassis.—
Jerry & Krista Slater,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
After a similar law was passed in Utah, a school board member publicly posted a photo of a 16-year-old girl on social media and implied, without any basis, that the student was transgender.—
Mike Smith,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Water fluoridation has been heralded as one of the top public health initiatives of the last century for its ability to fight cavities.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Baisakhi heralds the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab, and farmers come together to celebrate the abundance provided by nature.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But it’s now projected to begin declining after the mid 2080s, according to the UN, sooner than anticipated.—
Daniel Moss,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Looking ahead Widespread high temperatures in the 80s are anticipated away from the coast Tuesday through Thursday.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prefigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefigure. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
