as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
he single-handedly pioneered the university's institute for medical research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pioneer
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.
—Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
So what's in store for the pioneering folks of Mars' Happy Valley colony?
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
Last year, British electronic producer Actress and modular synthesis pioneer Suzanne Ciani performed an improvised piece titled Concrète Waves at the Barbican in London and Barcelona’s Sónar Festival.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.
—Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
Each grouping corresponds to a woman honored in the project, ranging from victims of the École Polytechnique femicide to pioneering figures in Montreal’s history – namely Myra Cree, Jessie Maxwell-Smith, Agnès Vautier, Ida Roth Steinberg, Idola Saint-Jean, Harriet Brooks, and Jeanne Mance.
—New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
So what's in store for the pioneering folks of Mars' Happy Valley colony?
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
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Eyewitnesses said Israeli settlers set fire to homes, farming sheds and vehicles.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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While Willick was there, some settlers drove by in a white pickup and smiled—including Levi.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ace right-hander Jacob deGrom, making his first start of the season after being scratched Saturday with a neck injury, cruised through the first four innings and almost made if out of the fifth, but Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run double to tie the game at 3.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Yet this is part of a trend that’s defined the Knicks’ first season under Brown, one that also predated Brown’s arrival as a through-line over the course of last season’s playoff run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Products used in the NICU help win hospital contracts, and hospital contracts help establish brand loyalty, according to court records.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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With the names of the two Kansas Cities firmly established over time, complaints about their dullness or geographical inaccuracy were largely confined to letters to the editor.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The aiyi have sent an emissary to Scythia, who will determine whether the colonists deserve to survive.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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The colonists awoke from their dream of lucrative plantations to find churches in ashes and molasses cauldrons rusting in the grass.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The initial rally happened on June 14, a week after the uptick in immigration enforcement operations in LA County.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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At the time of the initial gun battle, the MacEgans were on an afternoon walk through a nearby field.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Its founding principles—informed by an environmentally-conscious ethos and values which ‘protect the islands, support local communities, and do business in a…fair and future-focused way,’ says Dixon—mirrored those at Nikoi, and still hold strong today.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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And the three who founded it in 1998 ran two unlicensed boarding schools in Missouri that have since been closed amid abuse allegations.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The meeting has been positioned as a critical opportunity for both sides to reset the relationship between the world’s two foremost economic and military powers.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
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When unfunded entitlements in Social Security, Medicare, and other long-term obligations are factored in, the true fiscal gap approaches $100 trillion — a figure consistent with analysis from Penn Wharton Budget Model director Kent Smetters, one of America’s foremost fiscal economists.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Discussions have been initiated with the current fire service provider, the Lakes of the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force, which included a 96 percent increase over four years on top of the 160 percent increase the town made from 2023-2026.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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This came after the producers initiated the idea.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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