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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pilot
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
If a pilot program was authorized, Lawson suggested, private contractor CoreCivic could foot the bill for cameras in its own facilities.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
During the drone show performance, Sky Elements has a pilot and co-pilot monitoring a computer to make sure everything is running smoothly.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
One drone developer cited the technology from a sci-fi novel called Ender’s Game, in which children are trained to unwittingly pilot swarms of drones in a space war.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
With a price of around $170,000, the Switchblade is the most accessible vehicle for hobbyists and private pilots.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
If a pilot program was authorized, Lawson suggested, private contractor CoreCivic could foot the bill for cameras in its own facilities.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Pilots Under Pressure Such instances of pilot murder-suicide, though rare, have happened before.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
During the drone show performance, Sky Elements has a pilot and co-pilot monitoring a computer to make sure everything is running smoothly.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Verb
His brother, Bartek, helped by piloting a drone that helped guide him safely through the glacier, AFP reported.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
One drone developer cited the technology from a sci-fi novel called Ender’s Game, in which children are trained to unwittingly pilot swarms of drones in a space war.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
Running in parallel to the storylines of Piccard and Jones is the global race of the time where many prominent figures, from accomplished aviators to billionaire Richard Branson, were trying to become the first around-the-globe balloonists.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Channeling a fresh-off-the-Vespa vibe, aviator frames were rife in Milan.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Formal equality was only achieved in 1971, when the Ministry of Justice authorized women to serve in external police duties, and the National Police Board ended the experimental program.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Each choice has reinforced her role as one of fashion’s most experimental footwear allies.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Young guided the offense on a touchdown-scoring drive to begin the matchup, but his effectiveness waned as the Patriots piled on points.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The seven-time Grammy winner has long been embraced by fans for pushing boundaries and using her voice to advocate for human rights — something the star says has been a guiding light for her.—
Melody Chiu,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Martinez agreed that publicity moments on the carpet remain crucial but noted that some stars avoid them to steer clear of political questions.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
-
That could help steer the storm, potentially Imelda, away from landfall in the Southeast.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 26,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For Farley, who marks his fifth anniversary as CEO on Wednesday, there have been industry-wide problems to deal with, as well as Ford-specific issues that the company is still in the process of navigating.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Moody has been dedicating her practice to helping clients navigate the AI space and counsels nearly a dozen generative voice and audio AI companies.—
Claudia Rosenbaum,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For children, exposure to enough lead for weeks to months could cause permanent damage to their central nervous system, resulting in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems, the federal agency added.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The parents, who have two other children in addition to Graceyn, intentionally created the books to reach kids at different developmental stages.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Two weeks later, Neon launched the film’s Oscar campaign, coaching I, Tonya to a $30 million domestic release and 3 Academy Award nominations (with a best supporting actress win for Allison Janney).—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Luongo was coached by Tallas for the final five-plus seasons of his Hockey Hall of Fame career and now works side-by-side with him as two key members of Florida’s Goaltending Excellence Department.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pastor Timothy Hicks of Christian Love Faith Center in Flint attended the vigil to show support and come together with other Christians.—
Tess Ware,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, the team has shown plenty of grit through four games thus far.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share