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
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Following the example of Charli XCX’s Brat and its avant-garde influences, the producer Jim-E Stack has fashioned fun beats out of distorted noise.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 June 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
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth will bring her blend of art-punk and avant-garde to the stage.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Following the example of Charli XCX’s Brat and its avant-garde influences, the producer Jim-E Stack has fashioned fun beats out of distorted noise.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
Mamdani, who espouses more progressive socialist-leaning views, wants to make New York City more affordable for all, paid for through more taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Despite representing a team that finished 11th in the most recent Liga F season, Jacinto finished in the top 10 for progressive passes (third, with 238), key passes (joint eighth, with 49), passes into the final third (fifth, with 221), and passes into the penalty area (seventh, with 43).—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Harper at least advanced Schwarber with a tapper back to the pitcher.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
-
Taming your hair can be challenging without the right tools, and Prime Day sales are the perfect opportunity to upgrade your old flat iron to something more advanced.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
But, of course, a facility like Fordow underground is dependent on a lot of infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Despite financial insecurity, both parents encouraged their daughters to pursue their dreams, however unconventional — their feminist, progressive spirit guided Earhart like a compass.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
In advance of this month’s release of the Happy Gilmore 2, Callaway Golf has unveiled a new limited edition Odyssey hockey stick putter and golf balls inspired by the movie, which showcases the return of funnyman Adam Sandler as a failed hockey player turned unconventional golfer.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
11 July 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 sandals had a sleek, modern and striking appearance due to their vibrant color and minimalist design.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
-
Despite introducing the modern world to Nintendo games with 1981’s arcade classic, the great ape was quickly sidelined in favor of making Mario a star.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Furthermore, they were found to have no trace of cadmium, mercury, or arsenic, all contemporary treatments for syphilis.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
Despite starting off with a short story set in 1963, this is a contemporary meditation on the discovery of self, memory and kinship by an emerging voice in Kenyan fiction.—
Wanjeri Gakuru
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share