herald 1 of 2

Definition of heraldnext

herald

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word herald distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of herald are forerunner, harbinger, and precursor. While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season
the herald of a new age in medicine

In what contexts can forerunner take the place of herald?

Although the words forerunner and herald have much in common, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When is it sensible to use precursor instead of herald?

While in some cases nearly identical to herald, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

How is the word herald distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of herald are forerunner, harbinger, and precursor. While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season
the herald of a new age in medicine

In what contexts can forerunner take the place of herald?

Although the words forerunner and herald have much in common, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When is it sensible to use precursor instead of herald?

While in some cases nearly identical to herald, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of herald
Noun
The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026 New studies, however, clearly show that medical marijuana is not nearly as effective as the pro-marijuana lobby heralds. Mike Gimbel, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
So, too, are Mets fans, minus the blare of the trumpets that heralded another trip through the bullpen walls for Diaz. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026 There is no room in America for a war heralded by toxic Christian nationalism and officers praying for Armageddon. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • As the work stoppage dragged on, bar advocates and state legislators continued to point fingers at one another.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Health advocates and community leaders came together to create the group in response the county experiencing a nearly $50 million decrease in funding for services and its health workforce.
    City News Service, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Characterized by the exchange of representatives and the sojourn of Kongolese students in Portugal, this period was a harbinger of late 20th-century technical assistance.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • And this seems a harbinger, given that cursive has been cut from the Common Core.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The two went public with their relationship in May 2025, foreshadowing a merger of two NFL families.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
  • With almost three years left in his final term, Trump’s absence from CPAC foreshadows his eventual departure as leader of the GOP and the conservative movement, a role typically served by the president or the party’s leading contender for the White House.
    Gromer Jeffers Jr. Political, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt and his wife, Tavia Hunt, announced her engagement on Holy Saturday with a Bible verse.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Thousands of striking employees will return to work at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley next week after the company agreed to return to the negotiating table, union officials announced Saturday evening.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Known in research circles as authoritarian parenting, this style certainly has its proponents.
    Kelley King Heyworth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But for Project Plowshare’s biggest proponents, atomic excavation remained a worthwhile goal.
    The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • 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 camp is a program of the Woodcraft Rangers, founded by author and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton, whose pioneering Woodcraft Rangers program was a forerunner to groups such as the Boy Scouts.
    Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Overall, Sosnowski predicts that a gradual warmup is forecast in most cases after a cool start to the week.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Large language models, or LLMs, are trained to predict the next most statistically likely word given everything that came before it, said Zhivar Sourati, a doctoral student at the University of Southern California and first author of the paper.
    Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Today, there's writing on the wall outside, proclaiming the miracle of Ho Khanh.
    Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Improving Americans’ nutrition is a major pillar of Kennedy’s loudly proclaimed MAHA agenda.
    Arthur Caplan, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on herald

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster