herald 1 of 2

herald

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word herald distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of herald are forerunner, harbinger, and precursor. While all these words mean "one that goes before or announces the coming of another," harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season
the herald of a new age in medicine

In what contexts can forerunner take the place of herald?

Although the words forerunner and herald have much in common, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When is it sensible to use precursor instead of herald?

While in some cases nearly identical to herald, precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

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 herald
Noun
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 Red Eye’s autonomy—its ability to decide, react, and dominate without a human in the loop—heralds a shift in warfare’s DNA. Amir Husain, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
The festival, which is heralded as one of the greenest music festivals in the scene, is a climate-positive and zero-waste event. Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 How are lawmakers reacting? Republicans heralded Friday’s decision by the Supreme Court. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • Last month state immigration advocates warned that arrests of undocumented immigrants were ramping up in the state, creating anxiety and fear in communities with people taken every day.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • But while some politicians say these registries are a potential solution to a public health problem, many disability advocates see them as ineffective tools that give people a false sense of security because there is no guarantee of evacuation help.
    Miranda Green, CBS News, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The result served as a harbinger to motion picture studios to avoid anime big screen adaptation.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • But some of the museum’s fans saw their sudden disappearance as a harbinger of worse things to come.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • But that play, in the seventh, merely foreshadowed an even better one in the eighth, when Parker unleashed a rocket, on the fly, to cut down the go-ahead run.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Clifton’s recent disaster was foreshadowed by past violations and another deadly explosion at the same facility in 2003.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Murderbot has been renewed for a second season, Apple TV+ announced Thursday.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 July 2025
  • That is why the strong language that Donald Trump has been using since announcing an end to the pause is of real value.
    The Editors, National Review, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Though no concrete evidence was ever provided, proponents of the rumor published multiple videos on YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms detailing their claims.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • Crypto proponents say those rules could legitimize stablecoins, making banks, retailers and consumers more comfortable with using them to transfer funds.
    Niket Nishant, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral. 20.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Here is a look at some of the most likely forerunners to serve as the 267th pope, according to public reporting.
    Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the region through Monday evening, predicting potential rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
  • Unlike the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard that meteorologists predicted days in advance, this storm was harder to pinpoint, said National Weather Service meteorologist David Beachler at the time.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • After the MacArthur Park action, Trump’s disciples proclaimed victory.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
  • Though that seems quite compelling, the other side of the coin proclaims that freedom of speech surpasses any of those argued downsides.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on herald

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!