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
Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Eisenberg’s distinct turn toward folk forms might disappoint diehard fans of their more avant-garde projects, but the gentle tempos and well-rounded melodies of these songs harbor weirdness at their core.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
Adam Szymczyk, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
New-age has widened to a big-tent genre, evolving from heady subculture to mainstream schlock to avant-garde fascination, and now to chill, low-stakes record collector music.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
As promised, the festival set was a departure from her recent live performances but still brought all the avant-garde drama the singer is known for.
—Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Eisenberg’s distinct turn toward folk forms might disappoint diehard fans of their more avant-garde projects, but the gentle tempos and well-rounded melodies of these songs harbor weirdness at their core.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
That regime is also a huge self-learning machine, itself the avant-garde of neoliberal political economy, that seeks to neutralize and recuperate any intention of change almost immediately, turning it into predictable outcome and profit.
—Adam Szymczyk, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
New-age has widened to a big-tent genre, evolving from heady subculture to mainstream schlock to avant-garde fascination, and now to chill, low-stakes record collector music.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
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Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wagner is among a bevy of hosts from progressive outlet Crooked Media who can be seen on MS NOW every Saturday night at 9 in clips from the collective’s sundry podcasts.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Teyana Taylor is taking her fashion vanguard reputation to new heights in the desert.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
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In the 1950s, the Eisenhower administration decided that the transportation vanguard was off the tracks, creating — and, critically, continuously funding — the interstate highway system, fueling the world's proudest car culture.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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With the game scoreless in the fourth, Elly De La Cruz doubled on a line drive to the warning track and advanced to third when Sal Stewart reached on a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Kreidler.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Rumblex Max is the most advanced vibration plate in Lifepro's Rumblex series, delivering powerful 4D training that activates your entire body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The same goes for the Pixies, one of the most influential bands ever from the American underground, inspiring Nirvana and all that followed — yet never nominated.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
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Several ideas included cap designs or putting the highway underground.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s the impact Figueroa and Messmann hope to have with the boxing club and other unconventional programs at ATLAS.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Cubs will need more performances like Thielbar’s over the next week or so from potentially unconventional options in key moments because of injuries that have challenged the bullpen’s depth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His legacy as a pioneering gay activist?—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
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And as part of the deal, the duo will direct Sony’s Columbia Pictures adaptation of Metal Gear Solid, the pioneering video game created by Hideo Kojima.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Italian experimentalist goes absolutely haywire on a very overwhelming, very fun half-hour of ecstatic avant metal.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Purists may object, but Rolex’s modern movements are quite lovely to behold.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
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On April 21, 1526, a Central Asian prince named Babur defeated the Delhi sultanate ruler Ibrahim Lodi in India and laid the foundations of what would become one of the most important empires of early modern history—the Mughal Empire (1526–1857).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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