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
Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
The method, called ‘Sustainable Gold Cyanidation Technology,’ has completed a month-long, lab-scale pilot and is now ready for larger-scale field demonstrations.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Siemens Gamesa’s first installed its recyclable blades on a pilot basis at RWE’s Kaskasi wind farm in Germany.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025
Peter White, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Pilots of the United States Air Force are learning the tricks to fly alongside drones, such as XQ-58 Valkyrie, piloted with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
In the last five years, many have morphed from clean but utilitarian stopping points where pilots could grab a cup of coffee between flights, or aircraft owners could do a quick Zoom call before heading on a business trip.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
The method, called ‘Sustainable Gold Cyanidation Technology,’ has completed a month-long, lab-scale pilot and is now ready for larger-scale field demonstrations.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
Siemens Gamesa’s first installed its recyclable blades on a pilot basis at RWE’s Kaskasi wind farm in Germany.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Banijay initially piloted the format on YouTube via Signal.
—Peter White, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Pilots of the United States Air Force are learning the tricks to fly alongside drones, such as XQ-58 Valkyrie, piloted with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
The unusual directive, marked as a top priority by the White House, has agents combing through decades-old files tied to the famed aviator.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The aviator disappeared on July 2, 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly across the globe.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Additionally, the mill offers experimental coatings and creative color treatments, resulting in bold and expressive takes on denim.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over the past two decades, the ordinances guiding the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) have been revised multiple times to strengthen its capacity to serve the public effectively.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Of course, the expert teachers of the school were happy to guide women back to a true feminine balance.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Neuroscience also reveals how collective memory and leadership dynamics can steer a society toward increasing aggression or maintaining peace.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In the meantime, the words and actions of the administration have steered the Department of Homeland Security sharply away from its stated core values.—
Keith Wilson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the end of the week, Mel struggled to navigate his feelings for each woman.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
While most humans are brushing their teeth and heading to bed, hundreds of millions of birds are taking to the sky – migrating south for the winter, using the moon and the stars to navigate on a journey that will take them thousands of miles.—
Hannah Chinn,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The damage is more considerable for children, who can suffer permanent damage to the central nervous system, and learning and developmental problems can occur.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Yet, one of the most inspiring developmental stories in NBA history doesn’t happen without Antetokounmpo’s stint at the point.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Part of the answer, Arena acknowledged, comes from coaching.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This one must have hurt for Titans fans, seeing their former head coach, sporting his familiar navy blue vest on the opposing sideline, coaching his new team in a blowout win while their own team still looks aimless.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Photos taken of the aftermath show the aircraft partially submerged in water near the airport's sea wall.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Steven Adler published an analysis showing that ChatGPT repeatedly and falsely reinforced one man’s delusions and psychological distress.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share