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
Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 July 2025
His band may be forerunners in this respect, but Allen recognizes that the attention is paying off for all of his Alabama contemporaries.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
Those who appear in Green’s piece would do well to examine their forerunners, who can provide guidance about how to debate while harboring differences of opinion and belief.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 July 2025
His band may be forerunners in this respect, but Allen recognizes that the attention is paying off for all of his Alabama contemporaries.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
Those who appear in Green’s piece would do well to examine their forerunners, who can provide guidance about how to debate while harboring differences of opinion and belief.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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And the precursors for that reality may already be in motion, Metzger noted.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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After a follow-up period of 7½ years, the team concluded that higher iron levels in two key parts of the brain were linked to a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is typically a precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s dementia.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The norm is for ancient dugouts found in southern Florida to be linked to ancestors of the Calusa, the Seminole or the Miccosukee, according to the Florida Division of Historical Resources.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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This provides excellent evidence that all life on Earth shares one common ancestor.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While pumpkin spice menu options are the harbinger of fall and Labor Day officially marks its beginning, the start of football season is the true nail in the coffin for summer.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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Whether one or both of McDaniels and Campbell pass that test will offer a good harbinger of what’s to come from their offense, which should be dogged by iffy pass protection all season long.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This evolved into a prototype chiefly engineered by Burrell Smith, selecting for its CPU the 8-bit Motorola 6809 as an upgrade from the Apple II's MOS 6502 but still keeping costs low.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
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Working nights in his garage, Trombone built the prototype using personal funds.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Deadpool and John Wick director David Leitch and Bullet Train producer Kelly McCormick’s 87North, and Bill Bindley and Mike Karz’s Gulfstream Pictures (Upgraded), which financed the movie.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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Chinese research ships often trespass into Exclusive Economic Zones, and are now seen as a herald to a sovereignty challenge.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Flowers — purple mums, white and yellow lilies, and pink roses — had been laid near the university sign.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These white ensembles with feather motifs rendered the models like angels on earth.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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As the show went on, the Winchester brothers uncovered a much larger battle between heaven and hell, joined by Castiel (Misha Collins), an angel who becomes their ally and family, and often clashing with figures like Crowley (Mark Sheppard), the witty king of hell.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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