AVANT-GARDE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

avant-garde 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of avant-garde

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

avant-garde

2 of 2

noun

ˌä-ˌvän(t)-ˈgärd

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

Adjective

The avant-garde legend is seen sitting in a kitchen alongside Martin Scorsese and Marc Jacobs — each one representing a component of music, fashion, and film. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026 Part of it was because Williams designed what his clients wanted rather than adhering to a strict aesthetic code, so he wasn’t considered an avant-garde architect. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 June 2026

Noun

An avant-garde pick, the Olivera floor lamp from Lulu and Georgia boasts an undulating wicker frame. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 The desire to spoil, to transgress on principle, to épater le bourgeois—those are the words of the avant-garde artist. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for avant-garde

Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde

Adjective

When a Black professor suggests that the protesting students are infringing on their classmates’ right to use shared areas, her white counterparts shake their heads in disgust for her refusal to capitulate to progressive groupthink.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
The inherent challenge in making films dealing with progressive illness is not succumbing to an inescapably formulaic structure that can’t help but go with the territory.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of progressive

Noun

Nasty Gal was once at the buzzy vanguard of fashion, successfully targeting young shoppers with new online sales techniques.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
Beyond the jockeying for credit among the AI vanguard and the implications for the future of mathematics as a human vocation, there’s a mathematical issue.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of vanguard

Adjective

The company says the coating has already been proven and is in use on its advanced coating line in Germany.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
The advanced weapons that have been in the most demand are defensive missile interceptors, such as those launched by the Army’s Patriot and THAAD systems.

— Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of advanced

Noun

Mazama Energy has raised $135 million to accelerate the commercial development of superhot rock geothermal energy, a technology designed to produce large amounts of reliable, carbon-free electricity from extreme heat underground.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
There’s the proscriptive Christian culture; there’s a drag and gay dance-club underground engineered to sidestep it.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of underground

Adjective

From the start, Paul’s unconventional and volatile romantic relationships were central to the series.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Nobody lives here permanently—only rotating teams of scientists, engineers, and unconventional travelers.

— Hana Al-Khodairi, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

Born in Buenos Aires in 1959, Cerati rose to international prominence as the frontman, guitarist and creative force behind Soda Stereo, the pioneering band that helped define rock en español across the 1980s and ’90s.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Sway Dasafo, a pioneering British Ghanaian rapper known for his lyric storytelling and championing of British music, has died.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of pioneering

Adjective

What may have surprised even modern sports fans, however, was Ole Miss' suing two of its former players who followed former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to his new position as head football coach at LSU.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
In the heart of East Nashville, this two-bedroom home is perfect for families and those looking for a long-term stay topped with modern appliances and laundry.

— Sara Sturek, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of modern

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“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of avant-garde

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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