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
Under Revie, over the course of the next 13 seasons, Leeds won promotion, were champions of England twice, won the League Cup, the FA Cup and twice lifted the Fairs Cup (the forerunner of the UEFA Cup, now the Europa League).
—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Las Damas was founded in May 1948 and put on the Beachcomber’s Carnival, a forerunner of the Sunset Beach Art Festival, in July of that year.
—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
The brand was also a forerunner with exclusive collaborations.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
The Hunt family made their wealth in the oil business, and Lamar Hunt founded the American Football League and the Dallas Texans, the forerunner to the Chiefs.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Las Damas was founded in May 1948 and put on the Beachcomber’s Carnival, a forerunner of the Sunset Beach Art Festival, in July of that year.
—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
The brand was also a forerunner with exclusive collaborations.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
The Hunt family made their wealth in the oil business, and Lamar Hunt founded the American Football League and the Dallas Texans, the forerunner to the Chiefs.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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Those resolutions are considered a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.
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Feeding peanuts to the fans evolved, but the early days, whether for the precursor to Aramark or the work of Stevens, were all about a few simple items.
Noun
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Kean comes from a long line of public servants, stretching 250 years to the country’s founding when one of his ancestors became New Jersey’s first leader since independence.
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One of these is likely the evolutionary ancestor of all that is to come.
Noun
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The world looked to the social elite as the ultimate harbingers of style trends and sophistication, giving them a cultural cache and, in turn, a sense of power.
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And so those last 25 minutes served as a bizarre risk-management experiment that is likely to be a harbinger of what is to come in this tournament.
Noun
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Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
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Sketches were drawn, 3D masks printed and footballs blasted at a prototype sitting on a lifesize headform modelled on Kylian Mbappe’s face.
Noun
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The heralds operate like independent contractors, with their own caseloads.
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The series serves as an origin story for how Norrin Radd (voiced by Paul Essiembre) becomes the herald of Galactus (James Blendick), then breaks free from the clutches of the Devourer of Worlds to surf around the galaxy and help others.
Noun
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Indirect talks concluded last week without any sign of meaningful progress toward a lasting peace agreement.
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Neptune goes retrograde in your sign today, and false confidence starts to dissipate!
Noun
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The first one features a six-foot tall bronze cast angel whose wings enfold around a granite bench; the sculpture was intended to offer the comfort of an angel’s embrace for visitors who take a seat there.
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The respected 13th-century Spanish rabbi Nachmanides (Ramban) chastises Lot for the atrocity of offering his daughters in place of the angels.
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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