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
The Beverly Hilton hotel is buzzing with catering vans, publicity staff and all that precedes an all-hands event on this scale.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, have been entering the grounds throughout Friday morning.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, entered the grounds throughout Friday morning.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Roughly two weeks ago, Bekzhan Beishekeev, a commercial truck driver from Kyrgyzstan, collided with a passenger van in Jay County, resulting in the deaths of four people.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, have been entering the grounds throughout Friday morning.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, entered the grounds throughout Friday morning.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Roughly two weeks ago, Bekzhan Beishekeev, a commercial truck driver from Kyrgyzstan, collided with a passenger van in Jay County, resulting in the deaths of four people.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
-
The once-insurgent vanguards who cast their first votes for Barack Obama have relinquished their cool factor to Gen Z, who will one day undergo the same process themselves as time continues its relentless march forward.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 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
Noun
-
The Shibaura location puts the property at the forefront of Tokyo's waterfront development, with easy access to both Haneda Airport and the city center.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The issue of balance has come to the forefront in recent weeks, as Everton’s results have started to plateau.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Engineers inject water to dissolve part of the salt, pump out the salty brine, and are left with an empty chamber underground.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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While the concept of finding naturally occurring stores of hydrogen underground is relatively new, Johnson said the process of drilling and producing hydrogen wells is well established science and uses the same rigs used to drill for natural gas.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the late 1990s, Stone embarked on a solo career, becoming a pioneer in neo-soul.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The film, directed by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard, explores the life and legacy of Carl Bean, a disco singer who became an archbishop and pioneer in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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