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
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Recent Examples of avant-garde
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Over nearly two decades, Ray has forged a singular path across the boundaries of techno, ambient, and avant-garde sound, evolving from the delicate minimalism of his early releases to a distinctive blend of hypnotic textures and futuristic rhythms.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
The edifice may at first appear to have realized the modernist dream of injecting avant-garde art into everyday life, but its architects’ intention that the building serve only the glitterati of its day evacuated this modernist aesthetic of the socialist ideals typically underpinning it.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
The longtime model and frequent friend of Schiaparelli styled a look from the avant-garde Italian fashion house’s fall 2025 couture collection.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Over nearly two decades, Ray has forged a singular path across the boundaries of techno, ambient, and avant-garde sound, evolving from the delicate minimalism of his early releases to a distinctive blend of hypnotic textures and futuristic rhythms.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
Dembélé, on the other hand, rocked the avant-garde marvel that is the Richard Mille RM 72-01 as he was crowned Best Men’s Player.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
The edifice may at first appear to have realized the modernist dream of injecting avant-garde art into everyday life, but its architects’ intention that the building serve only the glitterati of its day evacuated this modernist aesthetic of the socialist ideals typically underpinning it.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
But even at a progressive institution like Antioch, Coretta encountered the quiet betrayal of liberal hypocrisy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But donations from progressive groups have only rarely flowed their way.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Metinvest considers human capital as important as advanced technologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Moscow has rebuilt Cold War-era bases, expanded Arctic military infrastructure, deployed advanced missile systems, and asserted control over polar shipping routes.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The beauty of a fire underground is that heat rises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The same streets, the same underground.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And do recruiters or hiring managers know how to look at someone’s unconventional resume and see promise instead of difference?—
Benjamin Wolff,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But this game, which ended in a 1-1 tie, was also a bit unconventional, as both goals were scored on penalty kicks in the final minutes.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Madinah has taken a pioneering step by assessing SDG indicators at the neighborhood level through The Atlas of Sustainable Development in Al Madinah Neighborhoods.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Half a year has gone by since Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, and in the months since the tragic news spread around the world, millions have mourned the pioneering musician’s loss.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Cabin in the Sky, for its part, evokes artistry beyond the genre, like Stereolab’s Margarine Eclipse, where the Chicago avant-pop band struggled to process the loss of longtime member Mary Hansen.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
25 Nov. 2025
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With her avant-groove sensibilities and refusal to color inside the lines, Lenae represents the fearless spirit fueling R&B’s new era.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Between one and three of those finalists will be inducted into the Hall along with between three and five modern-era players from a group of 15 finalists.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Powell has always said central bank independence is essential to the stability of any modern economy.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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