as in pioneer
someone who is the first to do something or be somewhere
The deep-sea explorer set out to discover shipwrecks long lost to history.
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Recent Examples of explorer
Freedom250 is promising attendees an interactive experience at the state pavilions, from Michigan's mechanical milking cow to Florida's re-creation of a Spanish fort honoring explorer Juan Ponce de León.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2026
Onboard was Hamish Harding, 58, a British explorer and pilot; Shahzada Dawood, 48, a British-Pakistani businessman, and his son Suleman, 19; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a leading authority on the Titanic wreck site; and Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
The latter honors the explorers who made their way out West in the 1800s.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026
Quebec City was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain.
—USA Today, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for explorer
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2026
Onboard was Hamish Harding, 58, a British explorer and pilot; Shahzada Dawood, 48, a British-Pakistani businessman, and his son Suleman, 19; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a leading authority on the Titanic wreck site; and Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
The latter honors the explorers who made their way out West in the 1800s.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026
Quebec City was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain.
—USA Today, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for explorer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explorer
Noun
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William Arruda is a keynote speaker, personal branding pioneer, and Senior Contributor to Forbes.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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The whole opening of the film pays homage to those pioneers of cinema.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Plus, the waffle bar is sure to be a hit with tiny travelers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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Hydrotherapy is the main draw and is especially helpful for active travelers or anyone managing chronic pain.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Just like a certain adventurer with some mean, mean pride, Rush are currently embarking on their fiftieth anniversary tour, a prog-rock pilgrimage that will take them around the world and back for the next year.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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Whether your dad's an adventurer or casual explorer, this new slip-in style is a shoo-in to make your dad's Father's day — scratch that, his year.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Through each voyager’s distinct perspective, the book explores artificial intelligence, social media, and the effects of extended isolation.—
Alexandra Oliva,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
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Murphy, the traditional voyager, is Native Hawaiian.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explorer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explorer. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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