herald 1 of 2

Definition of heraldnext

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

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
The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026 New studies, however, clearly show that medical marijuana is not nearly as effective as the pro-marijuana lobby heralds. Mike Gimbel, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
But travelers are concerned the fee could herald higher prices for additional airlines as fuel prices continue to skyrocket. Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Water fluoridation has been heralded as one of the top public health initiatives of the last century for its ability to fight cavities. Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herald
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herald
Noun
  • These developments add to growing concerns among rights advocates over restrictions on independent media, civil society and any dissenting voices under Saied.
    Ghaya ben Mbarek, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Rebuilding Penn Station has been a white whale for transit advocates and civic leaders since the 1990s.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • If the Broncos and Nix aren’t singing from the same page on recovery times now, what kind of harbinger is that for extension talks that could well define this franchise for the next decade?
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The renovation is a harbinger of the revitalization going on in downtown Anchorage.
    Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Bathrooms are expansive and clad in white marble, foreshadowing the scale of the sublime spa across the street.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The moment was foreshadowed a week earlier when Gritty posted a photo on TikTok of the Penguins’ mascot.
    Ryan Brennan April 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Perhaps the most compelling moment of the 2026 NFL Draft came in the final round, when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected running back Eli Heidenreich and the pick was announced to the hometown crowd gathered at the event.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • When the Dodgers public address announcer read the Cubs starting lineup, Dodgers fans vehemently booed Crow-Armstrong, a trend that continued before each at-bat and again Saturday when he was announced pregame.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At the same time, many national security proponents and experts in the intelligence community argue that such restrictions would impede law enforcement efforts and pose severe national security risks.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Last Tuesday, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will be given an opportunity to restore the original intent of Proposition 13.
    Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even the Hammurabi Code, a set of laws created by the sixth Babylonian king in approximately 1760 bce, established forerunners of today’s interest rate and minimum wage laws.
    Chris Roush, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Hungary’s incoming premier today showed investors how austere he is compared to his forerunner.
    Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Avs have not blown the doors off this team like many pundits predicted, given the chasm between the two clubs in the final NHL standings.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The low-pressure system was predicted to pass through Kern County and into the Los Angeles area in the afternoon, eventually making its way south to Orange County and the Inland Empire.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s what Mauigoa proclaimed, immediately after the Giants drafted him, about looking after quarterback Jaxson Dart.
    Sam Warren, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Which is to say that its power as a mode of redress in the first sense—as agent for proclaiming and correcting injustices—is being appealed to constantly.
    Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Herald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herald. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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