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
Chen Dong has strong spaceflight experience, having flown on the two-person Shenzhou 11 mission to the Tiangong 2 space lab—a smaller precursor to Tiangong—in 206.
—
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Some say that news is a precursor to a recession, but that seems very unlikely given the other economic news.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
The paintings are a precursor to Mexico’s famous catsta (caste) paintings — a genre invented to depict biracial families that was omnipresent during most of the 18th century.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Fried’s first start was rocky but mostly because the Yankees committed five errors behind him and the defensive miscues were overshadowed by the nine homers in a 20-9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers that was the precursor to the extensive torpedo bat discussion that even made network news.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Some say that news is a precursor to a recession, but that seems very unlikely given the other economic news.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
The paintings are a precursor to Mexico’s famous catsta (caste) paintings — a genre invented to depict biracial families that was omnipresent during most of the 18th century.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Fried’s first start was rocky but mostly because the Yankees committed five errors behind him and the defensive miscues were overshadowed by the nine homers in a 20-9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers that was the precursor to the extensive torpedo bat discussion that even made network news.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precursor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precursor
Noun
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While his Late Night forerunner Letterman was probably the comedic polestar of Generation X—gruff, cynical, and biting the hand that fed—O’Brien became a bedrock influence for the next generation of Millennial comics.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The New York Dolls were forerunners of punk, and the band's style -- teased hair, women's clothes and lots of makeup -- inspired the glam movement that took up residence in heavy metal a decade later in bands like Faster Pussycat and Mötley Crüe.—
MARK KENNEDY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Porter County Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs noted his ancestors were among the first white settlers in the county in 1835, at a settlement a few hundred feet from the site.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
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Moringa oleifera is native to Indian subcontinent, particularly the Himalayan foothills, while another species, Moringa stenopetala, grows in the Horn of Africa: southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and even Somalia, where Elba’s ancestors are from.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
15 May 2025
Noun
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So the fact that Xbox games are now free to land on any platform might be a harbinger of things to come, and this could give Microsoft a foundational head-start in the race toward a different future.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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As the United States withdraws and international institutions decay, their ordeal may be a harbinger of what is to come.—
Lynsey Addario,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The first symptoms that came to a head, so to speak, were rather subtle.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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The more recognizable symptoms of COPD range from a nagging cough, chronic mucus production, fatigue, or breathlessness.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Like the Marvel comics, Shalla-Bal is the herald of Galactus, a planet-devouring behemoth who is voiced by Ralph Ineson in the movie.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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Tremors can be a sign of MS, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or another neurological condition.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
23 May 2025
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This is a fabulous day for romance and warm, loving relations with others, because the Moon is in your sign, lined up with Venus in your sign, which is also close to Neptune in your sign.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Each finger sported its own unique, cherubic nail art, with plump baby angels fluttering across her nails.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
12 May 2025
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The report shows that pre-seed investors, both angels and VCs, are demanding more than a compelling narrative.—
Carrie Rubinstein,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precursor. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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