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
Hungary’s incoming premier today showed investors how austere he is compared to his forerunner.
—
Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, salsa ambassador Celia Cruz, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, rappers Queen Latifah and MC Lyte and country rock forerunner Gram Parsons will be recognized with the Early Influence Award.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
Williams had managed traditional Tex-Mex restaurants that were the forerunner of today’s Mercado Juarez Cafes.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
The Norwegian ended his season before the Olympics to further recover from a shoulder injury, but attended the finals as one of the forerunners, who test a course shortly before a race starts.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, salsa ambassador Celia Cruz, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, rappers Queen Latifah and MC Lyte and country rock forerunner Gram Parsons will be recognized with the Early Influence Award.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
Williams had managed traditional Tex-Mex restaurants that were the forerunner of today’s Mercado Juarez Cafes.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
The Norwegian ended his season before the Olympics to further recover from a shoulder injury, but attended the finals as one of the forerunners, who test a course shortly before a race starts.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
-
White filed a tort claim with the city in 2024; such a claim is a necessary precursor to a lawsuit against a government agency.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
-
Flying through a mountain with steep drops and dark surprises, this most definitely feels like a precursor to Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In a town in northern Peru, a teenager addicted to video games begins to desecrate the sacred ruins of his ancestors in search of money to continue playing.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Scientists think that may have happened later when our ancestors intermingled with Denisovans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
A lot of the coverage of Magyar’s election, including my own, treated his victory as a hopeful harbinger, not only for Hungary but for the world.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
In hindsight, Julius Randle turning down a potential drive to the rim and instead lobbing a grenade to Rudy Gobert near the end of the shot clock was a harbinger of the rest of his night.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The news comes amid a series of delays for the debut of SpaceX's new-and-improved Starship prototype, which will become the largest rocket the company has ever launched.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
For instance, a prototype version of the Justice League forms with Clark teaming up with the Green Arrow (Justin Hartley), Aquaman (Alan Ritchson), Bart Allen (Kyle Gallner), and Cyborg (Lee Thompson Young).—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
For example, NanoClaw was a herald for what agents should look like in the future.—
Sumeet Vaidya,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
After years of competing for quarters in the arcades, two of the heralds of the video game age are working in tandem.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
He’s gone from being a disposable asset in Vegas, which shipped him to Toronto in a sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner on July 1, to being coveted in Colorado at the trade deadline when the Avs acquired him to be their third-line center.—
Nate Peterson,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
The initial investigation into the billionaire’s death by Spanish authorities was closed in January 2025, and deemed an accident with no signs of any criminal wrongdoing.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Early risers will beat beachgoers to find coquinas, false angel wings, conch, murexes, scallops, tulip shells, and more.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Williams started out as an angel investor.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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