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
But the odds can be predictive of what to expect and a way to get invested in games that matter primarily as heralds of what is to come. Hannah Vanbiber, The Athletic, 8 Aug. 2024 If Wired of the 2010s was the cheerful herald of a shiny, happy future (not a judgment!), this piece is its indignant child, pointing accusingly at the mess. Longreads, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has heralded water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Melinda Wenner Moyer, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 For the aid agency, the email heralded this week’s massive reduction of the USAID workforce. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • The crackdown drew criticism from free speech advocates and intensified national debates over the rights of students to engage in political activism.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • His first son, Lincoln Gabriel, died by suicide in 2013, turning his father into a suicide-prevention advocate.
    Nora Gámez Torres and, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The dinner was a harbinger of an announcement that led many to self-identify as a military wife: BTS is now on a three-year hiatus to complete mandatory service.
    Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Especially after a long, cold winter, these fruits and vegetables are a refreshing sight—and are harbingers of the bounty to come for the next several months.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Stylistically, The Interrogation foreshadows the conventions that would characterize Wang’s later works.
    Philip Tinari, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • As with previous outings, death is foreshadowed before flashing back one week earlier to the guests’ arrival at the elite five-star White Lotus resort.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On Friday night, Andress’ posting of her new version of the anthem on social media — which had not been announced in advance — was starting to draw some favorable responses.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Mar. 2025
  • In October 2024, the Democrat announced he and others, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, would be pushing to more than double the current allotment, bringing the cap up to $750 million a year.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • There’s much misinformation about who actually pays tariffs Trump is a proponent of tariffs, insisting that they are paid for by foreign countries.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, is also a staunch free speech proponent.
    Tovia Smith, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.
    Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Tremble didn’t have the 2024 season that many predicted.
    Alex Zietlow and, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Women possessed by the gods were oracles, predicting the future in cryptic utterances.
    Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • No one was trying to proclaim innocence for Dahmer or Ted Bundy in their recent revisitations, even if both series did come under fire for being too centered around the killer.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In honor of Howard Meyer’s 20 years as president and CEO of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, the village of Skokie proclaimed February 18 as Howard Meyer Recognition Day.
    Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 14 Mar. 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!