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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avant-garde
Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The Coral Gables Art Cinema is known for playing digital and analog award-winning independent, foreign, avant-garde and classic films, including some that are curated by founder Steven Krams and Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
Active in avant-garde music on the European music scene, Bertelmann frequently employs prepared piano and electronics.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
Noun
And then there’s also the spirit of burlesque, combined with the vulgar, which is very avant-garde.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The Coral Gables Art Cinema is known for playing digital and analog award-winning independent, foreign, avant-garde and classic films, including some that are curated by founder Steven Krams and Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
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United wanted a goalkeeper who could reshape the way the team built from the back, act as an extra outfield player and push them toward a more progressive style of play.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Yet the party’s soul-searching has inspired a robust discussion in left-leaning digital media circles about the path forward, which is clearly fueling interest in liberal and progressive writers, podcasters, and posters.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This wine style has been trending amongst the wine set for a few years now, and King is joining the next vanguard of unofficial ambassadors.—
Elizabeth Wellington,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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Since its founding in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has stood as a vanguard of leadership, scholarship, and public service.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Negotiations were very advanced in Williams’ case, but talks fell apart at the very last minute due to the Athletic Club player’s concerns about Barca’s capacity to actually register him.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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Europe's Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket launched for the third time ever tonight (Aug. 12), sending an advanced weather and climate satellite to orbit.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The speaker system—designed in part by Shepherd and Tom Smith, co-founder of the famed underground Cosmic Slop party in Leeds—was meant to reference the disco setups at New York’s Paradise Garage and sub-heavy sound systems of Jamaica.—
Jeremy D. Larson,
Pitchfork,
14 Aug. 2025
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Her family, which owns the oil and gas underground, received a percentage of the revenue generated from the company’s sale of the minerals, called a royalty.—
Jacob Orledge,
ProPublica,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And when goals did go in, the unconventional trajectory of the Jabulani was oddly fascinating.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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The hero’s journey on this show is achieving their unconventional American dream.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Julia Fox pretty much owns avant garde fashion at this point.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
29 Jan. 2025
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His tunes draw on a broad spectrum of Black American music, seamlessly encompassing blues, funk and R&B along with bebop and avant garde directions forged by Ornette Coleman (which are also steeped in the blues).—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The fight was one of the most astonishing diplomatic meetings in modern presidential history.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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Reviewing history, the likelihood is the antiquated blast furnaces and systems in place will be demolished and replaced with modern technology involving robotics or they will simply be demolished to eliminate competition.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Murphy suggests using your vintage finds as statement pieces—like a mid-century coffee table in a contemporary living room—versus buying every single item secondhand.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
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With its square neckline and contrast trim, this ribbed maxi offers a contemporary take on the classic silhouette.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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