herald 1 of 2

noun

ˈher-əld How to pronounce herald (audio)
Definition of heraldnext
1
as in advocate
a person who actively supports or favors a cause an outspoken herald of prison reform

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harbinger
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another the American robin—the herald of spring in the North

Synonyms & Similar Words

herald

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to foreshadow
to give a slight indication of beforehand the reshuffle of the company's management heralded the sweeping changes to come

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to announce
to make known openly or publicly herald the great tidings to all the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
This ground-hugging perennial heralds the arrival of spring with a regal display of fragrant blooms. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 May 2026 For example, NanoClaw was a herald for what agents should look like in the future. — Sumeet Vaidya, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
It was heralded as a turning point for American philanthropy. — Nick Allardice, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 When the registry was created a few years ago, it was heralded by many (including me) as the single greatest anti-corruption step the United States had taken in decades. — Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
  1. advocate
  2. harbinger
  3. foreshadow
  4. announce
  5. proponent
  6. forerunner
  7. predict
  8. proclaim
Noun
  • Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights.
    — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Something of a memento mori, the necklace flips the script on the beetle's role as the harbinger of untimely death in the original film and becomes instead a protective talisman for its wearer.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Sophie, who added some additional shine with a Chopard diamond circle pendant necklace, bent royal beauty protocol with a moody dark brown manicure that served as an unofficial harbinger for fall.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of harbinger
Verb
  • But as the timeline would foreshadow, the COVID-19 pandemic began shortly after, and the two made the decision to quarantine together.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Back in January, Hegseth’s top spokesman, Sean Parnell, foreshadowed changes to the publication, raising concerns inside the newsroom.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreshadow
Verb
  • The Giants announced on Friday that Mayer, who is currently recovering from a stress reaction in his left forearm, is also dealing with a right foot bone bruise from a previous injury.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Nick Chubb is calling it a career, as the legendary Georgia running back announced his retirement on Instagram on Friday.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of announce
Noun
  • Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The roadless rule hasn’t prevented wildfire mitigation work, its proponents also say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
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
  • In less than 15 years, demographers predict 25 percent of the county, about 800,000 people, will be 60 and older.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • When videotape arrived, many predicted that watching movies at home would damage theatres.
    — Cory Jacobson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of predict
Verb
  • In 2024, when the National Electoral Council proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election without publishing the results, opposition tallies indicated the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, had won.
    — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Mother Teresa was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis during a canonization ceremony at the Vatican.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of proclaim

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Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herald

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herald

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