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
The notable feature of this particular death factory was its use of gas vans, a forerunner to the larger, more impersonal gas chambers built at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka.
—
Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There's no dearth of Christmas stories and images preserved in the American-Statesman archives, which go back 153 years, when the newspaper's forerunner was called the Democratic Statesman.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There's no dearth of Christmas stories and images preserved in the American-Statesman archives, which go back 153 years, when the newspaper's forerunner was called the Democratic Statesman.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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In addition, neighborhoods would no longer be required — as a precursor to meters — to test out two-hour and three-hour parking zones enforced by chalking tires instead of meters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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Directed by Arthur Penn, who brought a bold visual style, frank sexuality and graphic, balletic violence to a Hollywood dominated by optimistic pictures, this countercultural romance served as a precursor to the generational tension and mistrust in authority that was quietly pervading the country.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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During the Pleistocene, our ancestors lived through several different ice ages.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
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Until recently, the ancestors of insects were thought to be more millipede-like and evolved once invertebrates began to live on land.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The downward trend in proficiency, which preceded the pandemic, is a harbinger of the decline of America’s global competitiveness and economic power in the decades ahead.—
Sari Factor,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Trump’s return was widely seen as a harbinger of a second populist wave that would oust establishment figures all over the west.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As improbable as that sounds for an upright, short-wheelbase 4×4, the EV Bronco prototype is about much more than just straight-line speed and all-electric range.—
Michael Van Runkle,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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His most egregious act may have been sharing a video that purported to show a fully functional prototype, whereas the truck actually was rolling down a small hill.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The authors of the Yale study sincerely see themselves as heralds of empirical science, whatever the political ramifications.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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This sleek argent-toned agent was once Norrin Radd, a historian from the planet Zenn-La who signed up to be Galactus’ herald to spare his homeworld from an unthinkable fate.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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A number of protesters carried signs about the stock market tanking and the high tariffs Trump has promised to impose on goods coming in from around the globe.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
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In addition to taking medical history, your healthcare provider may perform the following exams: Physical exam: The provider will assess your hips, legs, and feet for signs of tightness or injury and measure your legs' range of motion.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Thank you dear Lord for my forever baby, my angel Aidan.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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From philanthropy to angel investing, wealthy women are using their money to do good and proving that financial power in the right hands changes everything.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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