as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in experimental
made or done as an experiment
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
piloted the figure skater through the national championships
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the lead rider piloted the rest of the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
The pilot is almost all exteriors at nighttime, and that means night shoots.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Mekishana Pierre September 8, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Brooks named the chatbot Lawrence and likened it to a superhero’s co-pilot assistant, like Tony Stark’s Jarvis.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Joe Otterson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Cursed with incredible longevity, Mawukana na-Vdnaze can pilot sentient ships in deep space without going mad; death is an evolution rather than an end.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
Loss of separation -- the minimum distance kept between aircrafts to keep them safe -- in the airspace and complaints from pilots about stress from air traffic controllers are among the data points that led to the decision to reduce air travel, Duffy said.
—ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
The pilot is almost all exteriors at nighttime, and that means night shoots.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Robert Hicks for the pilot episode of the new spinoff series S.W.A.T.
—Mekishana Pierre September 8, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Brooks named the chatbot Lawrence and likened it to a superhero’s co-pilot assistant, like Tony Stark’s Jarvis.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
It was officially picked up to pilot at FX back in March.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Cursed with incredible longevity, Mawukana na-Vdnaze can pilot sentient ships in deep space without going mad; death is an evolution rather than an end.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
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The San Diego native was a Navy pilot, receiving his aviator wings in December 1975.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The government responded by establishing a new facility in California and selecting the site under a committee chaired by aviator Charles Lindbergh.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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They’re joined by Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams, Ira Sachs’ experimental Peter Hujar’s Day, Johnny Depp’s curious Modigliani biopic Modi and Lost & Found In Cleveland, which is testing a new digital theatrical marketplace.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
An experimental serum shows promise in reversing baldness within 20 days.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Paul was a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion and guided the league through the challenges of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The lack of vetoes signals Crowley's agreement that the board's changes strike the right note of protecting services for vulnerable residents while steering the county toward a more fiscally responsible future.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
As was the case a year ago, Fox heavied up on the Dallas Cowboys in the early half of the season, while steering clear of Jerry Jones’ mercurial bunch in the latter portion.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That could mean more call-ups are on the way from the developmental brand.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Through amendments, the board ultimately restored minimal funding for eviction legal support, farmers' market FoodShare matching and support for families with children with disabilities or developmental delays.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mascherano knew how high Silvetti’s potential was even before becoming Inter Miami’s coach, having coached him on the Argentine U20 team.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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His work amid the injury woes could make a case for a postseason assistant coach of the year award, and Kyle Shanahan has an argument for the head coaching version of the honor given the 49ers’ success despite losing so many players.—
Pueng Vongs,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jail records show Gatica faces charges of DUI causing death or bodily injury and hit-and-run causing death or bodily injury.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
From the 15th century down to the present day, the Church has constructed an identity and a past at odds with what the records show—expanding the authority and power of the papacy in ways that have striking broader political implications.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Parker Thayer, an investigative researcher at the Capital Research Center, told the Washington Examiner that Bowers’s ouster should be viewed as a warning sign.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Dinner recently completed a months-long investigative report.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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