vanguard

noun

ˈvan-ˌgärd How to pronounce vanguard (audio)
Definition of vanguardnext
1
as in pioneer
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts a style of jazz that the vanguard quickly recognized as new and exciting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement talk radio is often regarded as being in the vanguard of the conservative movement

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 vanguard But the culture O’Brian describes to me doesn’t sound like a vanguard of white nationalism or anything close to a political organizing operation like the Democratic Socialists of America. — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026 But this is where Nazario feels a unique mission in his role in the fashion vanguard to try to change perceptions of who and what is celebrated. — David MacK, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 The masthead means to identify vanguard critics, poets, and authors for a lively new readership. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 Nasty Gal was once at the buzzy vanguard of fashion, successfully targeting young shoppers with new online sales techniques. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard
  1. pioneer
  2. forefront
  3. underground
  4. avant-garde
Noun
  • National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum Located downtown, the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum dives deep into the region’s economic history, with exhibits that cover mining culture, pioneer life, and period photographs from the region.
    — Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Julian Brodsky, a cable TV pioneer and financial guru who was a co-founding partner of Comcast more than 60 years ago, has died.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of pioneer
Noun
  • The release, hot on the heels of Argon, marks a decisive return for Google at the very forefront of AI research.
    — Robert Hart, The Verge, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The goal is to offer pieces that put function at the forefront and make the act of getting dressed simpler, starting from fabrics that are both easy to wear and care for.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of forefront
Noun
  • The industry, documents show, saw CCS as a way to forestall that outcome, allowing the world to keep burning fossil fuels while simply burying the pollution underground.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • His mother had belonged to the Irgun, the Jewish underground that fought British rule before Israel’s founding, but his parents were, by all accounts, not ideological zealots.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of underground
Noun
  • Yet the group would help transform that club and Max’s Kansas City into hubs for punk bands and the avant-garde such as Blondie, the Ramones and Talking Heads.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In recent months, the teen star has begun branching out and building her own roster, including avant-garde makeup artist Skreem, who customized West’s beauty for her Dazed photoshoot and at the SS27 Vetements show during Paris Fashion Week.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of avant-garde

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Cite this Entry

“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vanguard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vanguard

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