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
Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Daniele Polidoro, Wired News, 2 Feb. 2026
Little wonder, then, that so many early avant-garde filmmakers participated enthusiastically in advertising.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
Known for his otherworldly, powerful designs, Mugler often plays with unexpected textures—and these avant-garde metal strap details are a prime example.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
The 2026 Olympic Medals Have a Sleek New Design
Inspired by the timeless elegance of the Italian avant-garde, the Milano Cortina 2026 medals have a geometric, pure, and simple design.
—Daniele Polidoro, Wired News, 2 Feb. 2026
Little wonder, then, that so many early avant-garde filmmakers participated enthusiastically in advertising.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
Jackson was hospitalized in November and later diagnosed with a degenerative condition called progressive supranuclear palsy, CBS News reported.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Feb. 2026
-
A day after the election, the National Anti-Corruption Commission found 44 progressive opposition lawmakers guilty for trying to amend lese majeste.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of the year’s buzziest debuts so far comes from Xaviersobased, a 22-year-old musician who’s part of a vanguard of digital-native artists whose music is at once informed by the 2010s (Xavier’s name is a nod to millennial rap entity Lil B the BasedGod) and entirely of the moment.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2026
-
China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rosenblatt noted the improved ability to monetize streaming with its partnership with Amazon, a new ad tool for small and mid-sized businesses and tweaks made to the front page for advanced ads.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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Everesse Built around advanced monopolar radiofrequency (RF), Everesse by Volnewmer is designed to lift and firm skin on the face and body in two sessions, spaced three months apart.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Reasons for living underground The first rule of both shows?—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Pres, a veteran of the East Coast underground, became familiar with Gabe after hearing him rip a verse on billy woods’ 2022 album, Aethiopes.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Creative director Heginz Janvier transformed classic silhouettes such as trenchcoats and cargo pants into new offerings by creating them from technical fabrics and adding pockets in unconventional locations, such as above the ankles or on the waist.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For Holly, his pioneering work came by way of efforts to effectively modernize the genre of rock & roll, directly cited by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and countless others as a core creative influence.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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Beckett was particularly drawn to Proust’s pioneering depiction of involuntary memory—the sudden, revelatory insight into the past that springs from a cup of tea in his Search.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 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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This level of coordination effectively marries ancient Chinese martial arts with modern precision engineering.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Analysts say the result could mean more stability for modern day Thailand, which has had three prime ministers in as many years and a 20-year cycle of military coups, violent street protests and paralyzing political instability.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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