as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in experimental
made or done as an experiment
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
piloted the figure skater through the national championships
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the lead rider piloted the rest of the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Also flying are Scott Poteet, given the title of mission pilot, specialist Sarah Gillis, and specialist and medical officer Anna Menon.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The pilot episode of Martin's new TV show on Outdoor Channel centers around his journey to becoming a master of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue, a technique enduring among only a few pitmasters in the state.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
Rance Collins, IndieWire, 22 June 2025
The new findings are part of a preliminary report from the NTSB on the fiery May 22 crash that killed all six on board including music agent Dave Shapiro, who was piloting the Cessna Citation jet, and famed rock drummer Daniel Williams.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
This week in politics After sending a group of B-2 stealth bombers to Guam as a decoy, pilots took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County, Missouri, early Saturday on a secret bombing mission to Iran.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Also flying are Scott Poteet, given the title of mission pilot, specialist Sarah Gillis, and specialist and medical officer Anna Menon.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Adjective
The pilot episode of The Baldwins, TLC’s new reality show about actor Alec Baldwin and his family, is one of the darkest and most bizarre hours of television to appear in recent memory.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The pilot episode of Martin's new TV show on Outdoor Channel centers around his journey to becoming a master of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue, a technique enduring among only a few pitmasters in the state.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
Verb
The couple died in 1999 when a plane Kennedy was piloting crashed.
—Rance Collins, IndieWire, 22 June 2025
The new findings are part of a preliminary report from the NTSB on the fiery May 22 crash that killed all six on board including music agent Dave Shapiro, who was piloting the Cessna Citation jet, and famed rock drummer Daniel Williams.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
In Top Gun, Tom Cruise (who famously does all his own stunts) stars as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, a daring naval aviator training at the elite Top Gun school.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
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In the years since his initial turn as Top Gun's famed aviator, Cruise only became more of a star.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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The experimental Schiaparelli lander, which was to test the descent and landing system for the Rosalind Franklin rover, crashed in 2016 due to a motion sensor failure.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
30 June 2025
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More than two decades after researchers first demonstrated that a person could move a computer cursor with their thoughts, several firms are poised to take the brain-computer interface (BCI) from experimental curiosity to commercial product.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Verb
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There will be guided tours of the park and Wright’s Walter House in Quasqueton, Iowa.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
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Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone, along with Connecticut State Police.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Fifth, without patients being steered through insurance networks, direct-to-patient providers must compete for business by offering attractive pricing and high-quality care.—
Ge Bai,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Senate Republicans steered the sweeping policy bill past a filibuster by using the protections of a process known as budget reconciliation, which also required the legislation to undergo a flurry of amendment votes that stretched from early Monday to lunchtime Tuesday.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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This daring animal navigated her group deftly through the sharp peaks and crevices of the stone forest, resulting in the immortalization of this leap.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Special low-clearance drilling robots, which can be operated remotely, navigate tight corridors and doorways to create new foundations beneath the historic structure.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Another recommendation: that judges, lawyers and jail staff complete a 40-hour course intended to teach strategies to de-escalate and resolve crisis situations involving individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2025
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Now children are able to attend developmental sessions at a local facility, with support from UNICEF and the Association of Preschool Educators.—
UNICEF USA,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
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These answers don’t come from coaching techniques alone.—
Mo Khan,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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Keegan O’Toole was coached at Askren’s academy and later directly by Askren himself.—
Sofia Schwarzwalder,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Brands are also showing interest in using LaundRE in their reshoring plans by importing garments from places like Bangladesh and Pakistan and finishing them locally in small quantities to reduce overbuying and waste.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
25 June 2025
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What To Know The Susquehanna poll showed that Fetterman remains more popular than not with Pennsylvania voters, with 41 percent approving of him, compared to 37 percent disapproving.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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