avant-garde 1 of 2

avant-garde

2 of 2

noun

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
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
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Talking Heads, the avant-garde New York band that helped redefine Seventies rock & roll, especially that coming out of the city. Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 Landry became a kind of cultural conduit—a link between the avant-garde scene of the North and the Cajun and Creole cultures of the South. Reya Hart, The Atlantic, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
  • With many candidates vehemently opposed to Cuomo, their supporters' next-round votes can help Mamdani, who is endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive star.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 June 2025
  • Wilcox’s 10 signings — mostly loans and free agents — formed the bedrock of a side that returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking, under a young, progressive manager in Russell Martin, who Wilcox also brought in from Swansea.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The multi-media vanguard is now channeling his creative vision into telling authentic stories of Black love through independent filmmaking.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Once associated with pioneer women in long dresses, Latter-day Saints are increasingly represented by a new vanguard of social media influencers.
    Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kaplan explained that the techniques used to find LPTs are the same as those used to train advanced computer intelligence models used for security research, TikTok algorithms and more.
    Mia Thurow, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • And most advanced use cases are still in pilot phases.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Turkmenistan possesses the world’s fourth largest reserves of natural gas in its underground, exporting gas to countries such as Pakistan, China, India, Iran and Russia.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • New York is home to a thriving underground of edgy, experimental noise bands right now, and Brutus VIII, the conceptual project led by musician Jackson Katz, is one of the best.
    Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Use generative prompts during ideation to spark unconventional ideas that can act as creative springboards.
    Anusha Nerella, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Palmeiras have a very attractive style of football, and Porto did some impressive, and in places unconventional, defending.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • Julia Fox pretty much owns avant garde fashion at this point.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2025
  • 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
  • These violent riots became a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ movement.
    Raquel Willis, Time, 19 June 2025
  • Many found themselves out of work, while those who did find jobs discovered they were paid less than the Danish workers arriving in droves to build infrastructure or modern apartment buildings.
    Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Those same contemporary ideals and earthy hues of terra-cotta and stone extend into JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa’s 160 rooms, suites, and villas—many of which come equipped with their own private pools and terraces for your own private relaxation.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 June 2025
  • Set inside a chic, contemporary home, the gathering brought together influencer and hostess Tenicka Boyd, along with content creators Jayria Nicole and Iesha Gilchrist, for a night of casual connection, elevated drinks, and luxe simplicity.
    Essence, Essence, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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