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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of avant
The avant-soul album is considered a masterpiece, with Pitchfork ranking it the ninth-best album of the 2010s.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for avant
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for avant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant
Adjective
-
House members attending the People’s State of the Union include progressive caucus members such as Casar, Jayapal, Ansari, Balint, Ramirez, and Watson Coleman.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Democratic hopefuls in the race would be wise to restrain their most progressive impulses, said Robert Pruehs, a political science professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Anthropic has been most focused on applying its technology to cybersecurity and has been one of the only advanced AI models available for use in classified operations.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In the bottom half, Aiden Robbins singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a balk, but Carson Tinney struck out looking to end the frame.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Brutti cites Loie Fuller, whose Danse Serpentine became a pioneering cinematic marvel; Martha Graham; and Childs, who collaborated with the group during the pandemic.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
His father came to the United States from Mexico illegally then became a pioneering Mexican restaurateur in Los Angeles.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crawford modeled a plunging pinstripe vest featuring an unconventional wrap closure, pairing it with matching trousers.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The two strike up a somewhat unconventional romance after meeting on Christmas in Colin’s local pub wherein their first date involves a back-alley blowjob and little conversation.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The firm relies heavily on additive manufacturing and modern production processes to reduce costs and accelerate output.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing was said or done in the roughly 35 minutes the candidates devoted to themselves that seemed likely to change the dynamic or trajectory of a race that remains stubbornly ill-defined and, to an unprecedented degree in modern times, wide open.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Francesco Risso, who helmed Marni after Castiglioni’s departure in 2016 through last year, took the brand in a more avant-garde, experimental direction.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The interior design may be a touch too avant-garde, but perhaps Aunt Julie was futilely trying to impress Hedda.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The district has 56 poles and 7,500 linear feet of overhead conversion to 11,165 linear feet of underground trench spanning 227 properties, according to a council agenda report.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
There are more than 150 miles of tunnels across nine underground levels, and guests are encouraged to lick the walls.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The character of Julia is a reminder that no contemporary American filmmaker besides Whit Stillman can credibly write for WASPs.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In Ray’s bare-bones house, spotless and white and lacking any of the familiar comforts that make Colin’s life with his parents so cozy, there is a guy who reads contemporary auto-fiction who needs little reading glasses to do so.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
