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
Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025
There will also be a new adaptation of Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Vanessa that will be directed by avant-garde opera director R.B. Schlather.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 21 Apr. 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
While Barcelona is widely popular for its avant-garde food scene and beautiful beaches, Madrid—a traditional city rooted in history—remains one of my favorite places for fashion and shopping.
—Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025
There will also be a new adaptation of Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Vanessa that will be directed by avant-garde opera director R.B. Schlather.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
Joseph Tobin Joseph Tobin, 72, is a highly progressive candidate for the Church and has amassed substantial influence in the U.S.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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Francis, who was a progressive leader of the church, had appointed roughly 80% of the cardinals who are eligible to vote for the new pope, according to Miles Pattenden, historian of the Catholic Church at Oxford University.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Writer-director Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, out December 25, aims to lead the latest in the fang-banging vanguard.—
Angela Watercutter,
WIRED,
25 Dec. 2024
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Katy Perry 39, received this year's video vanguard award and treated viewers to a medley of her biggest hits — plus, presumably, material from her upcoming 143 album.—
Jack Irvin,
Peoplemag,
12 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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The first-generation satellite system will include more than 3,200 advanced low-Earth orbit satellites, which will be delivered across more than 80 launches in the coming years.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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Most patients with advanced dementia are suitable candidates, especially with decreasing function, increasing confusion, and recurrent infections.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Hannah said Iran’s secretive underground Fordow nuclear fuel enrichment plant and Natanz nuclear site were where Iran was caught digging tunnels in the mountains.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That meant the movie, which sees an unconventional band of antiheroes brought together to combat a supervillain, escaped a decision by China to curb Hollywood imports earlier this month as part of its retaliation against the United States.—
Casey Hall and Sophie Yu,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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From backing unconventional shows like Stranger Things to challenging Hollywood’s release models, Netflix has cultivated a ‘risk position’ that runs through its culture, structure, leadership, and decision-making.—
London School of Economics,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 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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Apostolic churches believe in modern day apostles and prophets, or those who claim to communicate directly with God and receive gifts of the Holy Spirit.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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For us as Jews, Easter has far more sinister overtones — of the passages from the Gospels that gave birth to modern antisemitism, of passion plays, pogroms, and emotional fuel for the literal fires that consumed our people.—
Joshua Stanton,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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From Schitt’s Creek to Sort Of, the CBC never stops cranking out funny shows that feel gentle, wholesome, and family-oriented but also contemporary.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
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Experts credited the surge to buying from the Asian market, and China in particular, telling Newsweek that gold bugs in both the public and private spheres appear to be increasingly banking on the metal's long-term safe-haven status, given the contemporary threats facing global trade.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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