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
Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The incident is illustrative of something experts have long feared in the contentious South China Sea; one mistake by one captain or pilot could lead to a superpower military confrontation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 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
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
Babcock Ranch is piloting new microgrid systems to add resilience.
—Lisa Setyon,jeniece Pettitt, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
The team was also able to secure a local helicopter and pilot to assist.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The incident is illustrative of something experts have long feared in the contentious South China Sea; one mistake by one captain or pilot could lead to a superpower military confrontation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 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
The system was piloted during the 2024 – 2025 school year at Streamwood High School.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
Babcock Ranch is piloting new microgrid systems to add resilience.
—Lisa Setyon,jeniece Pettitt, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
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Something between a lemonade stand and an MBA. Summer programs for trapeze flyers and young aviators?—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Heidi Klum wears aviators and a chic blouse while on set of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York City.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Eligible submissions include theatrical short films (such as those eligible for Oscar consideration); original short-form content made specifically for digital platforms; and narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental works.—
The Deadline Team,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
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In the first year of the Orange County Public Schools experimental Independent Division, the Windermere football team rolled through undefeated.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The walking tour is self guided and includes a half-mile walk around the park to read informational legends at each dinosaur exhibit.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Presence is the skill that separates those who barely get by from those who guide teams with clarity, resilience and balance.—
Aslak de Silva,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The former Spurs and Liverpool striker assumed the Hungarian club’s hotseat in January, having won the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv last year and made a seamless transition, steering the Budapest club to their 36th – and seventh consecutive – league title.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Grid fins are lattice-style control surfaces that help steer rockets back down through the atmosphere toward their landing zones, helping to reduce the possible risk of damage or a crash.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Retirement account laws can be notoriously difficult to navigate at the best of times, but for the millions of former U.S. persons living abroad, understanding the tax implications of U.S. retirement accounts is critical.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Long trusted by parents to safeguard children and trained to navigate sensitive topics, pediatricians are quietly initiating some of the hardest conversations of their careers: If you’re detained, who will care for your child?—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered that jewel wasps can dramatically extend their lifespans by undergoing a natural developmental pause known as diapause.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Heat’s two two-way contract players are forward Myron Gardner and center Vlad Goldin, with the third two-way slot still open to sign another developmental prospect.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Members of that national championship squad, coached by Jim Valvano, filed a suit requesting NIL compensation last year.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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How much are the hitters to blame and how much of it is coaching?—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His client is sick and drops out, but Fritz still wants to show me around.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
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The court on July 25 denied a motion to dismiss the case after hearing arguments from the involved parties, records show.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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