1
as in forerunners
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 ancestors
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
a precursor of the modern eggplant
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Recent Examples of precursors
Events once considered rare—like the 2003 Northeast blackout that hit 50 million people—are now seen as precursors of larger disruptions.
—
Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky recommends against the precursors since much more evidence supports the finished product.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The moniker is a significant honor within the program and is bestowed upon the player who best exemplifies the values identified as precursors for success, both on and off the field.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The robotic design allows Rainbow to test a broader range of chemical precursors, which increases the chances of discovering novel and high-performing quantum dots.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
These compounds are typically synthesized from plant precursors, such as molecules derived from yams or soy, and formulated to mimic endogenous hormones.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
James Morgan, 33, pleaded guilty on April 21 in federal court in Milwaukee to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors — or chemicals that combine to create chlorine and chlorine gas, court records show.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Awareness of these facts has already animated politicians from China to California to regulate soot and pollutants that are precursors to ozone.
—Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2018
Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Tarnopolsky recommends against the precursors since much more evidence supports the finished product.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The moniker is a significant honor within the program and is bestowed upon the player who best exemplifies the values identified as precursors for success, both on and off the field.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The robotic design allows Rainbow to test a broader range of chemical precursors, which increases the chances of discovering novel and high-performing quantum dots.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
These compounds are typically synthesized from plant precursors, such as molecules derived from yams or soy, and formulated to mimic endogenous hormones.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
James Morgan, 33, pleaded guilty on April 21 in federal court in Milwaukee to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors — or chemicals that combine to create chlorine and chlorine gas, court records show.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Awareness of these facts has already animated politicians from China to California to regulate soot and pollutants that are precursors to ozone.
—Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursors
Noun
-
People live for about 7 to 13 years after symptoms start.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Although this is a common diagnosis, its symptoms can be invisible and interfere with everyday activities like dining out and shopping.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is where our ancestors died protecting a way of life.—
Richard B. Williams,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
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By this time, humans had arrived in North America, likely via the same Bering Land Bridge used by the lions’ ancestors.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As of Monday, the Facebook post reached almost 10,000 likes, more than 3,000 shares and over 1,100 comments, with people hailing the couple as angels.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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The idea that that's now a thing that angels have to get involved with because so many people are texting and driving.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Investors flocked to bonds because of signs of a slowdown in the labor market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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On the flip side, secrecy triggers hypervigilance, where one partner obsessively scans for signs of deception or hidden threats, and naturally so given the suspicious nature of the matter.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Old Henry director Potsy Ponciroli.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Thy Kingdom Come’s entrance heralds 10 total appearances for the album’s tracks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Churchill Downs outriders, jockey agents, jockeys Florent Geroux and Julian Leperoux, as well as members of Lukas' barn staff also sat in the crowd.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
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By contrast, during a recent visit to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, in July, the king's convoy included four cars and three police motorcycle outriders.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursors. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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