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
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
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
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The Coral Gables Art Cinema is known for playing digital and analog award-winning independent, foreign, avant-garde and classic films, including some that are curated by founder Steven Krams and Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 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
And then there’s also the spirit of burlesque, combined with the vulgar, which is very avant-garde.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The Coral Gables Art Cinema is known for playing digital and analog award-winning independent, foreign, avant-garde and classic films, including some that are curated by founder Steven Krams and Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
The erosion of support was the result of a miscalculation: renewable advocates aligned too closely with progressive climate politics, turning an industry once embraced by all into a left-wing cause, alienating conservatives along the way.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Part of that is a rejection of decades of progressivism and progressive values, which had become the Establishment.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Since its founding in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has stood as a vanguard of leadership, scholarship, and public service.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
10 July 2025
-
Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that brought the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
His hit tool, his ability to hit for average, is probably Collins’ most advanced skill.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In addition, leading experts and Turing Award winners from the West and China share concerns that advanced general-purpose AI systems may come to operate outside of human control, posing catastrophic and existential risks.—
Brian Tse,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The speaker system—designed in part by Shepherd and Tom Smith, co-founder of the famed underground Cosmic Slop party in Leeds—was meant to reference the disco setups at New York’s Paradise Garage and sub-heavy sound systems of Jamaica.—
Jeremy D. Larson,
Pitchfork,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Her family, which owns the oil and gas underground, received a percentage of the revenue generated from the company’s sale of the minerals, called a royalty.—
Jacob Orledge,
ProPublica,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And when goals did go in, the unconventional trajectory of the Jabulani was oddly fascinating.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The hero’s journey on this show is achieving their unconventional American dream.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 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
-
The redevelopment builds on Soffer’s vision of blending timeless design with modern amenities—now expanding to include family-friendly features.—
Cheryl Tiu,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The electro-hydraulic power steering overflows with tactility, serving up a vivid, feathery feel not unlike a modern McLaren.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Murphy suggests using your vintage finds as statement pieces—like a mid-century coffee table in a contemporary living room—versus buying every single item secondhand.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
-
With its square neckline and contrast trim, this ribbed maxi offers a contemporary take on the classic silhouette.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share