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
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
Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025
Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between (2017)
Also on-theme: Katy Perry
Katy Perry didn't wear actual Comme des Garçons, but got into the avant-garde spirit in this undoubtedly hard-to-wear piece from Maison Margiela by John Galliano.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Tracee Ellis Ross Tracee Ellis Ross pops in several shades of pink with an avant-garde pair of pants, a cummerbund tied into a bow and a tall hat, all Marc Jacobs (with an assist from Stephen Jones on the hat).
—Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025
Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between (2017)
Also on-theme: Katy Perry
Katy Perry didn't wear actual Comme des Garçons, but got into the avant-garde spirit in this undoubtedly hard-to-wear piece from Maison Margiela by John Galliano.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
The resulting feed, shown in this article as a selection of posts curated from the much larger set, revealed ample praise for Mr. Musk and his various priorities, mixed with a torrent of right-wing outrage over progressive politics.—
Stuart A. Thompson,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Even from a progressive perspective, there is a glaring disconnect between his rhetoric and reality.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Palestinian elections held the following year resulted in a major win for Hamas, leading to a crisis in the fledgling PA government and a violent rift between the Islamist group and the traditional Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) vanguard of Fatah, a secular, leftist movement.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Those involved with the brand have described Reuss as a protector, vanguard and even spiritual leader of sorts for Cadillac.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
That has dropped to 2.4 since, a consequence of receiving possession in more advanced positions, rather than when facing towards his own goal as a No 6.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
-
From refined cabin materials to advanced technology and even off-roading chops, this SUV checks plenty of boxes for drivers like The Knicks' Jalen Brunson.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Now throw in the fact that buying passwords on the criminal underground, be that by the way of dark web marketplaces or surface web criminal forums, is stupidly cheap.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
By downplaying riders’ fears, advocates have allowed the MTA to be framed as a lawless underground.—
David Garten,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But his sponsor’s unconventional approach pulls Peter further off course and pushes him into a living hell that’ll take far more than 12 steps to escape.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
-
Kennedy has drawn attention for his unconventional approaches to health and wellness, during his presidential campaign and in the months after joining the Trump administration.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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The collection Olsen’s gown hails from was rife with avant, flowing takes on bows, whether at the shoulders of pastel dresses or at the hips of drop waist dresses or tailored jackets.—
Marissa Muller,
WWD,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His visit is a divergence from the tradition among modern U.S. presidents to visit Mexico or Canada during their first foreign trip, which comes after his administration levied tariffs against the neighboring nations early in his term.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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According to Reed, Roger Fry and Clive Bell opened the way for the creation and reception of modern art in the first decades of the twentieth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Grace, in contemporary internet parlance, often means forgiveness.—
Dorothy Fortenberry,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
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Dialogue from ancient Greek Socratic dialogues to contemporary mentorships enables learners to understand intricate concepts while sharpening their thinking abilities and expanding their comprehension.—
AyoOluwa Nihinlola,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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