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
-
In 1960, Chevy Chase graduated as valedictorian from Massachusetts' progressive Stockbridge School.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Democrats last year found allies among GOP House members from red districts in progressive states.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With the game scoreless in the fourth, Elly De La Cruz doubled on a line drive to the warning track and advanced to third when Sal Stewart reached on a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Kreidler.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Rumblex Max is the most advanced vibration plate in Lifepro's Rumblex series, delivering powerful 4D training that activates your entire body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His legacy as a pioneering gay activist?—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
And as part of the deal, the duo will direct Sony’s Columbia Pictures adaptation of Metal Gear Solid, the pioneering video game created by Hideo Kojima.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s the impact Figueroa and Messmann hope to have with the boxing club and other unconventional programs at ATLAS.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Cubs will need more performances like Thielbar’s over the next week or so from potentially unconventional options in key moments because of injuries that have challenged the bullpen’s depth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Purists may object, but Rolex’s modern movements are quite lovely to behold.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
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On April 21, 1526, a Central Asian prince named Babur defeated the Delhi sultanate ruler Ibrahim Lodi in India and laid the foundations of what would become one of the most important empires of early modern history—the Mughal Empire (1526–1857).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There are moments when the book, in defending Giacometti, seems to overburden his oeuvre with an exponential set of aesthetic, intellectual, and political problems, from resolving the tensions between modernism and the avant-garde to a singular working through of national trauma.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Her drawl, verbosity, and avant-garde black-and-white outfits were immediately embedded in popular culture; O’Hara won an Emmy for the role.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With funding from the Global Environment Facility, or GEF, the Djibouti government spent $150,000 digging a borehole to access underground water and another $100,000 fitting it with a solar pump that would fill a series of large concrete water tanks.—
Julie Bourdin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Pelham Boulevard reconstruction project will replace underground utilities, sidewalks, street surface, curbs, lighting and pedestrian ramps.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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LaFave told me that some of the guys like to have herbal tea in the evenings and discuss issues such as the problems with contemporary masculinity.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Fiapoto is one of the Bay Area’s most prominent contemporary rapper, whose moniker is a reference to his gang, according to police.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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