Thesaurus results for HARBINGER

Q: How is the word 'harbinger' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of harbinger are forerunner , herald , 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

Q: When would 'forerunner' be a good substitute for 'harbinger'?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage. // the blockade was the forerunner of war

Q: When could 'precursor' be used to replace 'harbinger'?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, 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

harbinger 1 of 2

noun

ˈhär-bən-jər

Definition of harbinger

as in herald

one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another her father's successful job interview was seen as a harbinger of better times to come

Synonyms & Similar Words

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harbinger

2 of 2

verb

as in to herald

to give a slight indication of beforehand the hope that the housing slump does not harbinger a general economic recession

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word harbinger distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of harbinger are forerunner, herald, 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

When would forerunner be a good substitute for harbinger?

While the synonyms forerunner and harbinger are close in meaning, forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

When could precursor be used to replace harbinger?

The meanings of precursor and harbinger largely overlap; however, 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 harbinger

Noun

Well People and Naturium — is this collection a harbinger of things to come? — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026 While the Super League failed, the saga proved to be a harbinger for the commercialization coming to other areas of the sport. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026

Verb

This could harbinger a new age of electro-tech in Asia. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbinger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbinger

Noun

Trump should show up on July 26 and herald this grand new bridge, paid for by Canada.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
The heralds operate like independent contractors, with their own caseloads.

— Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Definition of herald

Verb

Rising levels of poor health also foreshadow higher long-term public spending on health, which can crowd out investments in infrastructure, education, and technology; all are critical to sustained growth.

— Pooja Kumar, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
The Pax Mongolica also foreshadowed later forms of global commerce.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of foreshadow

Noun

Margaret and Alice are the forerunners of Lucy and Ethel, and Shakespeare’s comedy, written expressly to entertain, gives us a sense of what an Elizabethan-era situation comedy might look like.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
One of the forerunners today in Madeira and the Azores is António Maçanita from Azores Wine Company.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of forerunner

Verb

Everyone predicted the scoreline of each of the 10 Premier League matches each gameweek, with points awarded for correct guesses and a league table kept track of who was leading.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Kelly predicted that payrolls should grow 50,000 to 100,000 per month going forward — but July’s poor report and downward revision for earlier months call that into question.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of predict

Noun

But outside spending groups supporting Marshall and opposing Hamilton have already made major television ad buys this month — a precursor to what’s expected to be an expensive election cycle.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Less wealthy associations within and outside the confederation have relied heavily on FIFA funds via Infantino’s FIFA Forward program, the precursor to FFE, which was introduced by him in 2016.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of precursor

Noun

But that agreement, which had already effectively collapsed, officially expired on Monday with no sign of a breakthrough and as tensions have escalated.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
On-again, off-again negotiations have shown little sign of a breakthrough, encouraging oil producers and Gulf nations to seek out other trade routes, some of which are already transporting millions of barrels each day.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

Verb

On the city’s West Side, the site of storied clubs such as Silvio’s as well as the Maxwell Street Market, blues musicians developed a style of electric blues in the 1950s that typically included a horn section (prefiguring soul music).

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Other Black families tried to hold on under the new regime but ultimately found Wilmington untenable and moved north, joining a local exodus that prefigured the Great Migration.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

Definition of prefigure

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“Harbinger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbinger. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of harbinger

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