1
as in forerunner
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
In effect, the spy craft were to be precursors to the Hubble Space Telescope, but aimed at the Earth.
—
William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
At a 1956 meeting with a research director at the U.S. Weather Bureau (a precursor to the National Weather Service), Keeling made an ambitious pitch: continuously monitoring CO2 using a gas analyzer, a high-tech but as-yet-unproven tool for the job.
—Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Attorney Mark Merin said Friday that his client had filed a claim against the county, a precursor to a civil lawsuit.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Tort claims are typically filed as precursors to a potential lawsuit.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
At a 1956 meeting with a research director at the U.S. Weather Bureau (a precursor to the National Weather Service), Keeling made an ambitious pitch: continuously monitoring CO2 using a gas analyzer, a high-tech but as-yet-unproven tool for the job.
—Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Attorney Mark Merin said Friday that his client had filed a claim against the county, a precursor to a civil lawsuit.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Tort claims are typically filed as precursors to a potential lawsuit.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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The forerunner of today’s sleek MacBook laptops was the PowerBook.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 June 2025
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Frederick Ashton’s for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (the forerunner of the Royal Ballet) in 1952, with a resplendent Margot Fonteyn in the title role, put the ballet back into the mainstream repertory, though it wasn’t performed by the Royal from the mid-1960s to 2004.—
Roslyn Sulcas,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Now is the time to stand up for every American’s First Amendment right to tell their story, to dissent from the government’s world view, to celebrate the resilience and fortitude of ancestors who fought for their rights and their culture in this country.—
John Leguizamo,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
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Names carry the legacy of our ancestors, the history of our culture, and the desires of our parents.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 June 2025
Noun
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So the fact that Xbox games are now free to land on any platform might be a harbinger of things to come, and this could give Microsoft a foundational head-start in the race toward a different future.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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As the United States withdraws and international institutions decay, their ordeal may be a harbinger of what is to come.—
Lynsey Addario,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Beginning in February, hundreds of dolphins and sea lions started washing up on California beaches, either dead or suffering neurotoxin poisoning symptoms such as aggression, lethargy and seizures.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
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Although that leaves a 3% chance of infection, symptoms are significantly lessened with the vaccine.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Like the Marvel comics, Shalla-Bal is the herald of Galactus, a planet-devouring behemoth who is voiced by Ralph Ineson in the movie.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
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In the original comics, the Silver Surfer was Norrin Radd, a male astronomer from the planet Zenn-La who became the herald of Galactus.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fans lined up early and made signs to catch a glimpse of the future star.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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To some, the shift may vindicate Trump's America First strategy — a sign that pressuring allies to increase defense spending is working.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Muslims believe that as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, an angel of God stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice in place of his son.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Signature brand pieces include amulets, angels, royal blue moonstones and more.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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