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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 31 July 2025
The Black Hawk, which was on a nighttime training flight, had a crew of experienced pilots wearing night vision goggles.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Rebekah Riess, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
The complaint claimed that when Crichton sold Warner Bros. the screenplay for what became the pilot episode of ER, Warner Bros. promised that no subsequent productions derived from ER would go forward without Crichton’s consent.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Waggoner, an Austin resident, said his home city was an obvious choice for piloting the new concept.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
Fincke, the mission's pilot, is a space veteran, having spent more than a year in orbit, with nine spacewalks totaling 48 hours and 37 minutes of space time.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 31 July 2025
The Black Hawk, which was on a nighttime training flight, had a crew of experienced pilots wearing night vision goggles.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Adjective
Four crew members – a pilot, co-pilot, paramedic and doctor – were also on board the flight, which was scheduled to stop for refueling at the Springfield airport before continuing to its final destination of Tijuana, Mexico, Gold told CNN.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
The complaint claimed that when Crichton sold Warner Bros. the screenplay for what became the pilot episode of ER, Warner Bros. promised that no subsequent productions derived from ER would go forward without Crichton’s consent.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Gonzalez published her debut novel Olga Dies Dreaming, in 2022, which became a New York Times Best Seller and was ordered to pilot by Hulu, which Gonzalez adapted.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Waggoner, an Austin resident, said his home city was an obvious choice for piloting the new concept.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
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Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
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Oversized aviators Mark my words: Summer’s trendiest sunglasses will be retro, oversized aviators.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Participants were presented with a series of experimental questions along with two facial photographs, one of a bearded face and another of a non-bearded one.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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This new album, which is a mix of R&B, pop, and experimental production that leans into Bieber’s signature vocal style, has been described by some as his most personal to date.—
Sarah Jones,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Interactions with animals here are completely dependent on whether the animal is interested—if Mochi the two-toed sloth does not want to show her face, guides respect that.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
30 July 2025
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Perfect for newcomers to Florida or anyone new to vegetable gardening, this workshop will guide you through the basics—from understanding Florida’s unique planting seasons to learning simple, effective steps for starting your own backyard garden.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
Verb
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If price is what steered you away from investing in the Colorsoft, the new, cheaper base model might be your perfect Kindle.—
Nena Farrell,
Wired News,
24 July 2025
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Known for satirizing real-life politics and pop culture issues, this season will again touch on topics other shows would steer away from, like recent airplane crashes, a crisis at the Federal Aviation Administration and the fate of American democracy.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Verb
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More: Great Lakes tribes’ knowledge of nature could be key to navigating climate change.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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Yet many colleges still lack tailored resources for student-parents, leaving them to navigate a system that wasn’t built for them.—
Rita Raichoudhuri,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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There is developmental receiving upside on the roster with Ladd McConkey, who was good as a rookie and can be better this year, and Quentin Johnston.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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The compromise could be another center on a two-way deal, even with Goldin in place as a developmental project.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 July 2025
Verb
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In quick succession, the Lions then lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs, Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The Royals were hit with a two-year playoff ban and coach Jeff Conaway was suspended from coaching in games this season.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Play the Long Game: His 23-year tenure as principal and 40-year term as a councilman show that lasting change is a marathon, not a sprint.—
Stephanie Tharpe,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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De Vries can hit, with good swings from both sides of the plate, showing real improvements this year in pitch and ball/strike recognition, and enough bat speed to get to good fastballs.—
Keith Law,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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