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
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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
Schuyler, who a decade ago sold her company, Epitome Pictures, to DHX Media, a forerunner of Wild Brain Entertainment, was not available for comment on Wednesday.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
There are two countries on the world stage that stand out as the forerunners in the AI race: the U.S. and China.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
German missile designers launched their V2 rocket for the first time—the forerunner of the ICBM that would blitz the United Kingdom—and Berlin’s Luftwaffe dominated European skies.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
There are two countries on the world stage that stand out as the forerunners in the AI race: the U.S. and China.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The reactor is the forerunner to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt modular power plant designed specifically for data centers.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
German missile designers launched their V2 rocket for the first time—the forerunner of the ICBM that would blitz the United Kingdom—and Berlin’s Luftwaffe dominated European skies.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forerunner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forerunner
Noun
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This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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It is then converted into acetic acid, a key methane precursor.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The ancestors were taken from the Riverside Cemetery site near the Menominee River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between 1961 and 1963 during a joint excavation led by anthropologists Robert Retzenthaler for the Milwaukee Public Museum and Robert Hrushka for the Oshkosh Public Museum.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Furthermore, the analyses consistently position the new species as an ancestor of the entire dyrosaurid group.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Another harbinger is that the annual ski movies are coming soon to a theater or brewpub near you.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
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These could be harbingers of bigger things to come.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There’s even a design echo between the nomadic Mongolian ger — the traditional felt tent sometimes referred to as yurts — and the Martian dome prototypes being developed by the MARS-V engineering team.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Hybrid systems combining desalination plants and advanced biomimetic membranes overcome the cost and performance constraints that limited previous efforts, including Statkraft’s 2009 prototype.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Emma put down the supe uprising, but then psychotic fascist Homelander showed up to condemn them as villains and herald the murderous Cate and Sam as top students and potential recruits for the thoroughly corrupt Seven.—
EW Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
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Perri told him that was a sign of his brain rewiring.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Reina has made 74 angel investments over the past eight years, including Revolut, Volumetric, Elroy Air, and Speckle.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
25 Oct. 2025
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To complete your angel costume, wear a white dress and some sparkly makeup.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forerunner. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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