prefigure
verb
pre·fig·ure
ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər 
especially British -ˈfi-gə
prefigured; prefiguring; prefigures
1
: to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness
2
: to picture or imagine beforehand
Examples of prefigure in a Sentence
His style of painting prefigured the development of modern art.
the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring
Recent Examples on the Web
The film, with a screenplay by Buck Henry, is a biting satire of the American tabloid mentality and in some ways prefigures the contemporary reality-show mind-set of fame at whatever cost.
—
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
But the unleashing of ethnic nationalisms amid imperial collapse and global conflict saw the genocidal massacre of Armenians and prefigured the new republic.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Kremlin authorities seized on Macron’s remarks, arguing that NATO troops in Ukraine would prefigure a direct armed confrontation with Russia.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Some people think of Sutherland as the ‘godfather of computer graphics’ – and with good reason, given that his Sketchpad application prefigured the AutoCAD tools so useful in drafting and designing today.
—John Werner, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prefigure 
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
But the unleashing of ethnic nationalisms amid imperial collapse and global conflict saw the genocidal massacre of Armenians and prefigured the new republic.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Kremlin authorities seized on Macron’s remarks, arguing that NATO troops in Ukraine would prefigure a direct armed confrontation with Russia.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Some people think of Sutherland as the ‘godfather of computer graphics’ – and with good reason, given that his Sketchpad application prefigured the AutoCAD tools so useful in drafting and designing today.
—John Werner, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prefigure
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prefigure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prefigure
Cite this Entry
“Prefigure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefigure. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prefigure
verb
pre·fig·ure
(ˈ)prē-ˈfig-yər
especially British -ˈfig-ər
1
: to show, suggest, or announce by an earlier type, image, or likeness
the first crocus prefigures the arrival of spring
2
: to picture or imagine beforehand
prefigure the outcome of the game
prefiguration
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌfig-(y)ə-ˈrā-shən
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