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
Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.
—
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There's no dearth of Christmas stories and images preserved in the American-Statesman archives, which go back 153 years, when the newspaper's forerunner was called the Democratic Statesman.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There's no dearth of Christmas stories and images preserved in the American-Statesman archives, which go back 153 years, when the newspaper's forerunner was called the Democratic Statesman.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
-
In addition, neighborhoods would no longer be required — as a precursor to meters — to test out two-hour and three-hour parking zones enforced by chalking tires instead of meters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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Directed by Arthur Penn, who brought a bold visual style, frank sexuality and graphic, balletic violence to a Hollywood dominated by optimistic pictures, this countercultural romance served as a precursor to the generational tension and mistrust in authority that was quietly pervading the country.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The ancestors of tens of millions of Americans left miserable lives in Ireland for initially difficult ones here.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The flights will begin before Chuseok (October 15), also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, which celebrates both the harvest and their ancestors.—
Brandon Withrow,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The downward trend in proficiency, which preceded the pandemic, is a harbinger of the decline of America’s global competitiveness and economic power in the decades ahead.—
Sari Factor,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Trump’s return was widely seen as a harbinger of a second populist wave that would oust establishment figures all over the west.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As improbable as that sounds for an upright, short-wheelbase 4×4, the EV Bronco prototype is about much more than just straight-line speed and all-electric range.—
Michael Van Runkle,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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His most egregious act may have been sharing a video that purported to show a fully functional prototype, whereas the truck actually was rolling down a small hill.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The authors of the Yale study sincerely see themselves as heralds of empirical science, whatever the political ramifications.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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This sleek argent-toned agent was once Norrin Radd, a historian from the planet Zenn-La who signed up to be Galactus’ herald to spare his homeworld from an unthinkable fate.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
A number of protesters carried signs about the stock market tanking and the high tariffs Trump has promised to impose on goods coming in from around the globe.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
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The peaceful protesters waved signs targeting Trump and Musk.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Thank you dear Lord for my forever baby, my angel Aidan.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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From philanthropy to angel investing, wealthy women are using their money to do good and proving that financial power in the right hands changes everything.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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