as in progressive
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques
readers of this very avant novel should not expect to find much in the way of traditional narrative structure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avant
Jim Rinnert was the longtime art director for In These Times magazine and a theater enthusiast who co-wrote an award-winning multimedia theatrical work based on the writings of avant-grade theater and cinema artist Antonin Artaud.
—
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The product of a multinational household — daughter of a West African percussionist and a Swedish designer, stepdaughter of avant-jazz trumpeter Don Cherry — this year's most daring Best New Artist nominee went on to join several abrasive and ear-shattering British punk bands in the early '80s.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The port forged the city’s avant-gardism and its melting-pot population, which now comprises more than 170 nationalities.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Worn by celebrities like Amanda Seyfried, among others, Magda Butrym’s unique designs often embrace textural play and avant-grade designs by way of structuralism.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for avant
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The product of a multinational household — daughter of a West African percussionist and a Swedish designer, stepdaughter of avant-jazz trumpeter Don Cherry — this year's most daring Best New Artist nominee went on to join several abrasive and ear-shattering British punk bands in the early '80s.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The port forged the city’s avant-gardism and its melting-pot population, which now comprises more than 170 nationalities.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Worn by celebrities like Amanda Seyfried, among others, Magda Butrym’s unique designs often embrace textural play and avant-grade designs by way of structuralism.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for avant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant
Adjective
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As Utah emerged as the epicenter of an internal GOP conflict over AI regulation, two groups with considerable links to progressive politics were quietly stoking the flames.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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The 2026 Hall of Fame Class also includes Kelly Barr, classical music; Denise Crosby, journalism; Leslie Hunt, popular and progressive music; Stanley Konopka, classical music; Mary Beth McCarthy, choral music; and Juel Ulven, folk music.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The spa Aman’s approach to wellness is holistic and advanced, drawing on nearly 40 years of well-being practices across its entire portfolio.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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The robot relies on advanced control algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some have likened coach Deion Sanders’ early Colorado tenure to that of the pioneering college basketball coach John Thompson, whose Georgetown Hoyas were an anomaly on a predominantly white campus but garnered the unwavering support of the hip hop and Black community.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Mar. 2026
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Drawing richly on the subject’s own documentary works, the film is crafted with remarkable sensitivity and artistry, offering a profound insight into the pioneering experimental practice of Barbara Hammer.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Split keyboards aren’t a new concept, but many ergonomic split keyboard designs, including JezailFunder’s own Cornix model, rely on unconventional layouts that require a little more getting used to.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2026
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The bot’s unconventional approach was a viral success, if not taken entirely seriously by mathematicians.—
Lyndie Chiou,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Natural materials, like unpolished wood and linen, are juxtaposed with sleek, modern furnishings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Cesar Chavez was a labor organizer and civil rights activist who became one of the most influential figures in the modern farmworker movement, particularly in California and the American Southwest.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The book market of a new country—Russia—was flooded with memoirs of repression and camp testimony, along with émigré and avant-garde writing, much of it never published before.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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Chase’s mixed-media work is situated at the avant-garde crossroads of installation and performance art.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Since then, Tehran has fortified Kharg heavily, building air defenses, hardened infrastructure and underground storage designed to keep oil flowing even under sustained attack.—
Imtiaz Tyab,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Parking would be underground and at street level, with 24/7 valet service.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Featuring both contemporary and historical artists from Japan and abroad, TOP offers a broad-spectrum view on the medium of photography.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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Jones, whose novel Kin has just been released, is often described as a timely writer, but to concentrate only on the contemporary urgency of her books is to ignore her clear interest in the past and its conventions.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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