Synonyms of vanguard

vanguard

noun

ˈvan-ˌgärd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pioneer
• underground
• avant-garde
• van
• cutting edge
• forerunner
• precursor
• avant-gardist
• trailblazer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• establishment
• old guard

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

• forefront
• leading edge
• front line
• van
• cutting edge
• spearhead

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vanguard

Linklater was a vanguard of the indie film movement of the 1990s. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026

If experimental and vanguard poetry is set on fragmenting the lyric I, verse plays and poet’s theater redistribute it. — Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

Most notably, the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab or CSAIL, directed capably by my colleague Daniela Rus, is in there, where intrepid teams work on such vanguard projects as liquid AI models. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Now entering its third year, Athlos is among a new vanguard of professional track and field events aimed at modernizing the sport for the streaming era and growing its audience in non-Olympic years. — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 20 May 2026

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