as in progressive
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques
a very avant-garde artist whose works wouldn't even be considered art by many traditionalists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
to the theater world's avant-garde, the melodrama seemed like a very old-fashioned play whose time had come and gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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-garde
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Ulysse Nardin made the Blast even more appealing to tech heads in September, unveiling a new version of the avant-garde wristwatch.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
List does a marvelous job of placing Ray’s work in the context of both the avant-garde and its influence on later artists.
—Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
Her mother is an opera singer, her father is a conductor and composer responsible for commissioning new, avant-garde works in Iceland.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Ulysse Nardin made the Blast even more appealing to tech heads in September, unveiling a new version of the avant-garde wristwatch.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
Dangling tie elements and a skirt slit lent a casual, avant-garde vibe to the look.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
List does a marvelous job of placing Ray’s work in the context of both the avant-garde and its influence on later artists.
—Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
The Kids Are Alright earned a nomination for best urban contemporary album at the 2019 Grammy Awards, where Chloe x Halle was also up for best new artist, and Ungodly Hour earned a best progressive R&B album nod at the 2021 Grammys.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In one final message, Williams rejected those who say AI is progressive technology.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The home of world-leading firms such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG spent decades at technology’s vanguard, but fortunes have wilted in recent years because of a stifling regulatory environment, demographic pressures, and fierce competition from China.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
-
He’s so far collaborated with acts like Ecco2k and Xaviersobased, themselves vanguards of the underground-rap scene.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Intel has unveiled its most advanced client and server processors yet, marking a major leap in semiconductor technology.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Heavy rare earths are almost exclusively produced by China and essential for advanced technologies, powering high-performance magnets, semiconductors, and precision military systems.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike the neo-Leninist underground, moreover, dissidents had no desire to revive Bolshevik revolutionary traditions, with their ideological discipline, armed conspiracy, and noms de guerre.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Burnham Yard also is near an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site for radium contamination, but the Terracon report did not find any indication that there is a substantial amount of radioactive material underground.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Rockets will need to find some unconventional sources of half-court shot creation with VanVleet sidelined with a torn ACL.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The special installment of Famous Last Words features the pioneering primatologist, chimpanzee researcher and animal-welfare and environmental advocate in one of her final intervews, filmed earlier this year.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Chris Dreja, a musician, photographer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who was a co-founder of the pioneering British rock band the Yardbirds and a co-writer of many of that band’s songs, has died, according to social media posts from his sister-in-law and his former bandmate Jimmy Page.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington are bringing their avant-comedy film show On Cinema at the Cinema to venues around North America next year.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
1 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
Adjective
-
These $36 shoes stand out for their comfortable design and modern style, especially in this cement gray color with its sleek look.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The program features hits from the ‘70s, such as by The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elvis and The Carpenters, with a modern twist.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share