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
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 forerunner
The case was the forerunner to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno’s decision to snatch Elián from his cousin’s Little Havana home and reunite him with his dad in Cuba.
—
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Most of the forerunners of modern Zionism saw themselves as secular.
—Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
Beretta traces its history to 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta (d. 1565), a rifle barrel maker in the small northern Italian town of Gardone, sold 185 arquebus barrels—a handheld long gun and a forerunner to the modern rifle—to the Republic of Venice.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The current tax extension bill could add substantially more to the deficit than its forerunner.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Most of the forerunners of modern Zionism saw themselves as secular.
—Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
Beretta traces its history to 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta (d. 1565), a rifle barrel maker in the small northern Italian town of Gardone, sold 185 arquebus barrels—a handheld long gun and a forerunner to the modern rifle—to the Republic of Venice.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The current tax extension bill could add substantially more to the deficit than its forerunner.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
-
Tort claims are typically filed as precursors to a potential lawsuit.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2025
-
Gleason worked as a senior adviser to the U.S. Digital Service, the precursor to DOGE.—
Melissa Quinn
May 21,
CBS News,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Florentine society had changed a good deal since the days of their illustrious ancestor; noble blood had in fact become something of a liability.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
29 May 2025
-
One of these two lineages is the ancestor of the present-day strains, while the other strain re-emerged over centuries in Europe and went extinct by the early 19th century.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Taking place in June 2023, American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans studies the story of when an American stock car Chevrolet Camaro competed against the futuristic Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in the grueling 24-hour challenge.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
-
This is a polished-looking prototype but not necessarily a pending commercial product.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Farré recalled that the signs were good after the Cannes festival team first screened Sirât.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
-
After all, the year started with many signs indicating that 2025 could be a strong comeback year for initial public offerings.—
Lisya Bahar Manoah,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
After the initial prayers and thanking God, the universe and the angels, who and whatever has kept me alive and blessed me with an amazing life so far...—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
-
General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower was not a political angel and made his share of mistakes, like all who engage in politics.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share