1
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement
a company that is considered by some to be in the van of the latest technology for renewable energy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of van
Luther and Rebecca would call 15-passenger vans to shuttle the family to and from the airport on trips, and search for ample bedroom square-footage whenever purchasing a new home.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Nelson, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
According to documents, when the driver refused to get out of the van, the officers broke the window to try to get him out.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The siblings got back into the van and drove to Lincoln Hospital, where Ljukovic underwent surgery and has since been released.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Nelson, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
According to documents, when the driver refused to get out of the van, the officers broke the window to try to get him out.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The siblings got back into the van and drove to Lincoln Hospital, where Ljukovic underwent surgery and has since been released.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
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China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The agency is at the forefront of Israel’s battle against Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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In the short term, Kennard provides extra length for a team looking to spread the floor with Luca Doncic and LeBron James at the forefront.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Pres, a veteran of the East Coast underground, became familiar with Gabe after hearing him rip a verse on billy woods’ 2022 album, Aethiopes.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
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The beauty of a fire underground is that heat rises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ivy Queen Reggaeton icon and pioneer Ivy Queen has performed with Bad Bunny on multiple occasions, with the rapper crediting the Queen of Reggaeton as a major inspiration.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Along with coaches George Halas, Clark Shaughnessy, and Ralph Jones, Luckman was a pioneer in the T Formation motion, with three running backs lined up behind the quarterback and a man shifting laterally and behind the line of scrimmage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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