1
as in precursor
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
the return of the swallows is traditionally regarded as a forerunner of spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
enjoyed the demonstration of the simple hand loom that was the forerunner of today's computer-controlled looms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forerunner
When the 40-year-old took to the Birds of Prey course Wednesday as a forerunner on the first day of downhill training, everything felt right in her world.
—
The Vail Daily, The Denver Post, 12 Dec. 2024
Equally, it was never considered by bid organizers to be a forerunner in bids to host the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cup, the latter of which was successful and will be shared next year with Canada and Mexico.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025
Each night, Americans were reminded of the crisis on TV, as ABC created nightly reports called America Held Hostage with Ted Koppel, the forerunner to Nightline.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
The Vail Daily, The Denver Post, 12 Dec. 2024
Equally, it was never considered by bid organizers to be a forerunner in bids to host the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cup, the latter of which was successful and will be shared next year with Canada and Mexico.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025
Each night, Americans were reminded of the crisis on TV, as ABC created nightly reports called America Held Hostage with Ted Koppel, the forerunner to Nightline.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
-
Such certificates are often pursued after a conviction has been vacated and as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
-
For example, tryptophan is precursor to serotonin, the body’s feel-good chemical.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The auntie’s going to always be there for her niece as an ancestor.—
Fox Maxy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The ephemerides were the ancestors of astronomical tables, which still exist.—
James Byrne,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But these domestic shifts should not be understood as harbingers of a grand reopening to the West.—
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The endorsement is a harbinger of Dorsey’s ambitious vision for AI — equipping individuals and enterprises with open, adaptable AI tools.—
Tor Constantino,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The program has been underway for a decade, and a prototype designed by the Air Force first flew in 2020, breaking records in the process (although what records and by how much was not disclosed).—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Mar. 2025
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There is no denying Flagg is the prototype for the current NBA star – a big man's height with the skills to score, pass and defend anyone on the court.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star as the titular quartet, heroes who must defend the Earth against Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a ravenous space god who's hungry to devour the entire planet with the help of his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
18 Feb. 2025
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In Turkey and the Middle East, the birds crop up in folklore as heralds of spring, guides for pilgrims, and the first creatures, along with two doves, to disembark from Noah’s ark.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When the discussion plunges as deep as Gary Mabbutt and Swap Shop, that’s a sure sign that the game is not as enticing as normal.—
Amy Lawrence,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The clearest sign would be a steady increase in job losses and a jump unemployment.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Zoom in: Soma Capital, Afore Capital and other angel investors also participated in the round.—
Tim Baysinger,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The move reunites Lin with Reeves, who became an angel investor in the filmmaker’s latest drama and return to indie roots, Last Days, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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