as in pioneers
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 explorers
Lunar craters are named after engineers, explorers, or scientists who died at least three or more years ago, according to NASA, but some names are also chosen by astronauts during lunar exploration.
—
Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist and a member of the Canadian Space Agency, honored the efforts of earlier space explorers as the crew broke the record and implored future generations to carry on their mission.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The first lunar explorers since Apollo 17 in 1972, Wiseman and his crew are aiming for a Friday splashdown off the San Diego coast on Friday to wrap up the nearly 10-day test flight.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The hidden history of Black explorers There have been many Black explorers in American history.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
With the Orion toilet malfunctioning, the astronauts are resorting to a technique employed by the deep-space explorers of the mid-20th century.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The nation's defining era began with its Age of Discovery, driven by explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, who established sea routes to Asia and claimed territories like Brazil.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Inside a section known as the Sulfur Cave, located 50 meters (164 feet) from the cave entrance in a permanently dark passage, the explorers encountered the sprawling structure.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
When confronted with the reality of the universe – an enormous starry void we humans are only beginning to understand – scientists and space explorers are often stunned and humbled by the extent of their own ignorance.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist and a member of the Canadian Space Agency, honored the efforts of earlier space explorers as the crew broke the record and implored future generations to carry on their mission.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The first lunar explorers since Apollo 17 in 1972, Wiseman and his crew are aiming for a Friday splashdown off the San Diego coast on Friday to wrap up the nearly 10-day test flight.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The hidden history of Black explorers There have been many Black explorers in American history.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
With the Orion toilet malfunctioning, the astronauts are resorting to a technique employed by the deep-space explorers of the mid-20th century.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The nation's defining era began with its Age of Discovery, driven by explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, who established sea routes to Asia and claimed territories like Brazil.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Inside a section known as the Sulfur Cave, located 50 meters (164 feet) from the cave entrance in a permanently dark passage, the explorers encountered the sprawling structure.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
When confronted with the reality of the universe – an enormous starry void we humans are only beginning to understand – scientists and space explorers are often stunned and humbled by the extent of their own ignorance.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explorers
Noun
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Schilling Elementary School in Newark is packed with young pioneers, willing to get their hands dirty.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Time and time again, pioneers of new platforms have also bought up content and influenced conversations about those platforms.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The airline also implemented a new policy earlier this year requiring travelers who don't fit within the armrests of their seat to pay for an extra one in advance.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Nonetheless, as tends to happen even to seemingly prepared travelers, the engine light is now on.—
Bruce Yandle,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explorers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explorers. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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