Synonyms of van

van

noun

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• establishment
• old guard

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of van

To diagnose those sticky tasks and peddle its tools, Snap-on relies on thousands of franchisees, who make weekly visits to nearly a million neighborhood mechanics in custom company vans. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 17 July 2026

Salgado Araujo, 52, worked in construction and led a crew, and was in a van with three other people on the morning of July 7 in the Magnolia Park neighborhood in Houston. — Albinson Linares, NBC news, 17 July 2026

The collision left Lawrence’s vehicle disabled, prompting him to enter a passing Nissan van, prosecutors said. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

With its latest camper van, Westfalia is determined to offer the space and luxury of a high-end Class A motorhome – think something like the Niesmann + Bischoff Flair – inside a very average Fiat Ducato van. — New Atlas, 15 July 2026