pilot 1 of 3

Definition of pilotnext
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

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pilot

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adjective

pilot

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verb

1
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

3
as in to helm
to operate or control the course of managed to pilot the plane to safety despite the failure of the left engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pilot contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pilot are engineer, guide, lead, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When could engineer be used to replace pilot?

The words engineer and pilot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

In what contexts can guide take the place of pilot?

While the synonyms guide and pilot are close in meaning, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would lead be a reasonable alternative to pilot?

In some situations, the words lead and pilot are roughly equivalent. However, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is it sensible to use steer instead of pilot?

The synonyms steer and pilot are sometimes interchangeable, but steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

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
Noun
Companies run teleoperation farms where people strap into VR rigs and exoskeletons and pilot robots through the same dull tasks over and over, logging every motion as training data. Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Co-founder and CEO Jim Dukhovny says the company’s Model A Ultralight can be legally flown without a pilot’s license in unpopulated areas. Anne Kadet, Curbed, 19 June 2026
Adjective
In 2014, a test flight operated by Scaled Composites, the company that designed and built the spaceplane, crashed and killed co-pilot Michael Alsbury. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 The show recently received a pilot greenlight at Hulu. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Authorities have not yet identified who was piloting the plane. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026 For decades, the public has been obsessed with the idea of little green men piloting flying saucers visiting Earth. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
  • However, instead of the rounded bug-eye styles favored by early-aughts paparazzi fixtures like Nicole Richie and Mary-Kate Olsen, mask-like aviator silhouettes are the way to go.
    Jordan Julian, InStyle, 22 June 2026
  • The wraparound aviator style is yellow-tinted, larger than life, and vintage-inspired at its core.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Martha Skye Murphy, the British experimental singer-songwriter, and her longtime collaborator Roy Montgomery, the New Zealand guitar composer, will release their debut joint album via AD 93 on August 7.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026
  • So the answer scientists came up with was to build some of the biggest, deepest, and most exotic experimental traps in scientific history … and then wait.
    Simon Frantz, Quanta Magazine, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • That idea guided nearly every aspect of the wardrobe.
    Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Itineraries guide food-lovers to Breyðvirkið, the Faroe Islands’ sole artisanal sourdough bakery, renowned for its exceptional coffee and its ‘BMO’ (bolle med ost), a classic Scandinavian breakfast of a fresh sourdough bun with butter and cheese.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Frank Carone agreed to accept bribes from Zhu and Chen, funneled through Anthony Carone, in exchange for steering a multimillion-dollar contract to house migrants at their Long Island City hotel, the indictment alleges.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • Ahead of Mulier’s February 2027 debut, the intention is that the new creative and business management line-up, including Bertelli and the next chief executive, will work together to steer Versace’s new era.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • His rise to becoming one of the best pitchers in the sport is one of the biggest developmental success stories in recent franchise history.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • Mark Cohen observed that law firms have long depended upon clients subsidizing the development of young lawyers through billable work and that AI challenges both the economics and developmental logic of that arrangement.
    Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Acuff has drawn rave reviews from Calapari, who has coached 42 NBA lottery picks and 13 All-Stars with 43 All-Star appearances, including two MVPS, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Derrick Rose.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • The consensus in the Spanish capital was that Arbeloa, while not yet cut out to coach a club of Madrid’s magnitude, was not responsible for the chaos that engulfed the club.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Delta flight attendant graduation ceremonies often take place at the Delta Flight Museum near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, shown here on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
    Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
  • His view comes despite some opinion polls showing the Republican Party has a higher disapproval rating.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The defender, who is currently playing with Morocco at the World Cup after winning the Champions League for a second straight year with PSG, had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
  • An investigation of that scope would likely have generated substantial records, including investigative reports, emails and financial analyses.
    Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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