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
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
For hikers, photographers and explorers, that could mean covering more ground, carrying more gear, or simply finishing a long day with less strain on the body.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Hinkle also showed up in The Far Horizons (1955), starring Fred MacMurray and Charlton Heston as the explorers Lewis & Clark; in The Conqueror (1956), with John Wayne as Genghis Khan; and in The First Texan (1956), starring Joel McCrea as Sam Houston.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
Cats are natural hunters, climbers and explorers, and their environment should reflect those instincts.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Leading us were explorers Howard Limbert, whose work in Vietnam over 30 years discovered 500 caves.
—Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Instead, Coronado returned to Mexico City in disgrace, the last of the great Spanish explorers.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But Jacobs, a biodiversity adviser in the Netherlands, is one of a growing number of fortunate underwater explorers.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
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
For hikers, photographers and explorers, that could mean covering more ground, carrying more gear, or simply finishing a long day with less strain on the body.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Hinkle also showed up in The Far Horizons (1955), starring Fred MacMurray and Charlton Heston as the explorers Lewis & Clark; in The Conqueror (1956), with John Wayne as Genghis Khan; and in The First Texan (1956), starring Joel McCrea as Sam Houston.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
Cats are natural hunters, climbers and explorers, and their environment should reflect those instincts.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Leading us were explorers Howard Limbert, whose work in Vietnam over 30 years discovered 500 caves.
—Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Instead, Coronado returned to Mexico City in disgrace, the last of the great Spanish explorers.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
But Jacobs, a biodiversity adviser in the Netherlands, is one of a growing number of fortunate underwater explorers.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explorers
Noun
-
For the record, Burleson does not credit himself with popularizing the format, citing Chris Klemens and Billy Eichner as pioneers.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Team officials from the 49ers and the Rams have embraced being pioneers in Australia.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There is, however, something else travelers should expect.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Floating alone where the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this island nation was long considered too out-of-the-way for travelers … until airlines like Icelandair started luring Americans with cheap flights to Europe that included a stopover in Iceland.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explorers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explorers. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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