VANGUARD Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

vanguard

noun

ˈvan-ˌgärd

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 As the old vanguard of civil rights leaders pass, who will fill the void? —

Brittany Luse, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026 Founded in 2010, Big Health, which makes cognitive behavioral therapy apps to treat anxiety and insomnia, was among the original vanguard of digital therapeutics companies. —

Mario Aguilar, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026 One of the year’s buzziest debuts so far comes from Xaviersobased, a 22-year-old musician who’s part of a vanguard of digital-native artists whose music is at once informed by the 2010s (Xavier’s name is a nod to millennial rap entity Lil B the BasedGod) and entirely of the moment. —

Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2026 China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift. —

Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vanguard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard

Noun

Across the cage stood MMA pioneer Gina Carano, the original mainstream face of women’s MMA and the opponent fans spent years fantasy-booking against Rousey during the peak of both careers.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Ben Johnson’s Bears are pioneers in the field of loopy comebacks.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2026