CUTTING EDGE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

cutting-edge 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cutting-edge

as in advanced

being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques his insistent tracking shots and rapid-fire pacing earned him a reputation as a cutting-edge filmmaker

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cutting edge

2 of 2

noun

as in vanguard

the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts an urban enclave that has an established reputation for being hospitable to artists who are part of the cutting edge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in forefront

the leading or most important part of a movement a company that has always been on the cutting edge of the new electronic media

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cutting-edge

Adjective

Google signed a gigantic infrastructure deal to supply Anthropic with cutting-edge chips as the industry explores new financing paradigms to meet the AI industry's insatiable appetite for compute power. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 This contemporary collaboration offers musical artistry and a cutting-edge multi-tiered sensory performance filled with all the poetic contradictions of the lake itself. — Gina Grillo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

That lack of cutting edge was evident in the shootout, with Rayan Ait Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez missing the first three penalties. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Since OutKick is always on the cutting edge of cultural changes, here is the next one that is going to hit. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutting-edge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting-edge

Adjective

Julian Sevilla led off with a walk and advanced to third on an infield hit by Mateo Ruiz.

— Dennis Pope, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Apple’s iCloud sits at the base of Apple’s subscription program, offering cloud storage, backup, and advanced privacy tools.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of advanced

Noun

Galliano represents the last of a vanguard of designers who developed cults of personalities.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanguard

Noun

The wave of victories first came to the forefront with New York's June primaries, where a trio of wins by insurgent candidates in New York City prompted widespread speculation about the future of the Democratic Party.

— Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Jean Louis pledged to put the everyday resident on the forefront of his agenda.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of forefront

Adjective

Black Americans were struggling against the legacy of Jim Crow, and Abdeen interned with Ernest Goodman, a civil-rights lawyer who was reviving the National Lawyers Guild, a collective of progressive legal professionals.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Several political programs returned to the chart this quarter, including Mark Levin Podcast, Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar, The David Pakman Show, Pivot, and Piers Morgan Uncensored, spanning both progressive and conservative audiences.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressive

Noun

Many departments across South Florida are adopting AI tools, and some intentionally are not, but the Palm Beach Police Department seems to be on the leading edge of how the technology is being used in law enforcement.

— Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
Wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph will be possible on the leading edge of any storms rolling through.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of leading edge

Adjective

Heilmann was a pioneering abstract painter who blended elements from pop culture, craft, and art history with ease and wit.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The Lola Mora Cultural Center, named for the pioneering Argentine sculptor, opened in early July in the vicinity of San Salvador de Jujuy in northwestern Argentina.

— News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of pioneering

Noun

Venture just beyond downtown to Mount Moriah Cemetery, where Calamity Jane lies buried next to Wild Bill Hickok; paths through the pines lead to the graves of pioneers and other Wild West figures, like Seth Bullock.

— Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026
New York — Columbia House, a pioneer of subscription music before streaming, is shutting down after seven decades in business.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pioneer

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cutting-edge

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Style

“Cutting-edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting-edge. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cutting-edge

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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