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
Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Little vs. Hecox, which began in 2020 when Idaho became a forerunner for states with laws that ban trans athletes in women's and girls' sports.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
For some years, the Octagon was home to Ohio’s militia, a forerunner to today’s National Guard; during the summer, soldiers would erect tents and practice training exercises.
—Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The cast features Anthony Coleman as the young Armstrong, Shanti Lowry as the prostitute, Jackie Earle Haley, as Judge Perry and Anthony Mackie as Buddy Bolden, who was Armstrong’s jazz forerunner.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral.
20.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
For some years, the Octagon was home to Ohio’s militia, a forerunner to today’s National Guard; during the summer, soldiers would erect tents and practice training exercises.
—Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The cast features Anthony Coleman as the young Armstrong, Shanti Lowry as the prostitute, Jackie Earle Haley, as Judge Perry and Anthony Mackie as Buddy Bolden, who was Armstrong’s jazz forerunner.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral.
20.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
-
Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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And yet, for us, the memory of our ancestors’ strength and courage during times even more trying than ours is a grounding force.—
Brad Riew,
People.com,
29 July 2025
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Our ancestors hunted and gathered for meat and berries and embarked on treacherous overseas journeys for the promise of fertile land.—
Maggie Anders,
Oc Register,
29 July 2025
Noun
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For Adcock, the shows are both a promise fulfilled and a hopeful harbinger of what is to come.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
30 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, some on the right are celebrating the campaign for allegedly doing just that, calling the spots yet another harbinger of the death of woke.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The coach’s prototype quickly evolved into a machine featuring a lone basket with a 14-inch rim and a seven-inch ball.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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When one prototype's cooling system underperformed, the retrospective revealed an unexpected airflow pattern that became the key to our final design.—
Wayne Yu,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Julia Garner portrays the villainous herald the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson is the world-eating giant Galactus.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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In an alternate universe, Shalla-Bal becomes the Silver Surfer herald for Galactus instead.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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If the description feels vague, overly broad, or reads like a copy-paste from a generic template, that could be a sign the posting isn’t tied to a real opening.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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That the account belonging to the president of the United States is now posting to the entire world like a Facebook Uncle, though, is a troubling sign.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Early risers will beat beachgoers to find coquinas, false angel wings, conch, murexes, scallops, tulip shells, and more.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
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Other Estonian angel investors who have previously backed Lightyear also participated in the funding round, including Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Checkout.com's former Chief Technology Officer Ott Kaukver and Skype founding engineer Jaan Tallinn.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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