1
as in forerunner
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics
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2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precursor
At the same time, thousands of British troops gathered on Staten Island as a precursor to the Battle of Long Island.
—
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 July 2025
In 1983, a dentist in Michigan executed the world’s first online trade from his home computer, sending an order through Trade Plus—a precursor to E*Trade.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The tentative agreement is expected to serve as a precursor to more challenging financial discussions about additional reductions in the months ahead.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 July 2025
In 1983, a dentist in Michigan executed the world’s first online trade from his home computer, sending an order through Trade Plus—a precursor to E*Trade.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The tentative agreement is expected to serve as a precursor to more challenging financial discussions about additional reductions in the months ahead.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The gift of 'The Mahabharata' that my ancestors gave me is truly the gift that keeps giving.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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The same ancestor who founded this homestead left his own family behind in Georgia; that cold resolve is Hailey’s inheritance too.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The result served as a harbinger to motion picture studios to avoid anime big screen adaptation.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
27 June 2025
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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
Noun
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Familiarize yourself with warning signs: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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Some other studies have found positive neurological effects that creatine might have in reducing symptoms related to Huntington’s disease, though those early tests have not stood up to repeat trials.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Discover Magazine,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Once again the plot bent toward total transformations of the Republic, accompanied by the thrilling heralds of Trump’s imminent downfall.—
Matthew Karp,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
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Brian Wilson’s death on Wednesday at the age of 82 heralds an end to one idea of Southern California — as the temperate paradise of ascendant Americana.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Isaacman is a friend of Elon Musk, and the move was seen as the first sign of the rift between Trump and Musk that widened as the two men publicly feuded over a sweeping tax and spending package central to Trump’s second term agenda.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
10 July 2025
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Schneider highlighted that early signs of AI use cases — such as driving corporate headcount reductions and greater sales — have emerged and created a path towards reinvestment into future growth.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The shepherds were visited by an angel and guided to the infant king.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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Showrunner Tony Tost was truly an angel, and everyone on board were such freak-ass nerds about TV and cinema, and were so excited to share all these reference points with me, like Colombo.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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