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
Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025
The company’s Bristol facility now houses pilot-scale fiber processing, blending and prototyping capabilities—what Ponda said allows for the rapid testing and delivery of BioPuff, offering equivalent thermal properties to goose down while being significantly cheaper, at industrial standards.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Nov. 2025
Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
The city can pilot standing forums or task forces designed not just to solicit feedback, but to deliberate openly, surface tensions, and work through disagreements in real time.
—Garrett Lucien, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
This was the pilot of the season.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Speaking of the helm, the space is outfitted with two pilot chairs, a co-pilot chair, two Boening displays measuring 15 and 24 inches, respectively, and a Volvo Penta joystick.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025
The company’s Bristol facility now houses pilot-scale fiber processing, blending and prototyping capabilities—what Ponda said allows for the rapid testing and delivery of BioPuff, offering equivalent thermal properties to goose down while being significantly cheaper, at industrial standards.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
In the end, UC Davis Health stopped using the BioButtons after piloting the technology for about a year, Beebe says.
—Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
The city can pilot standing forums or task forces designed not just to solicit feedback, but to deliberate openly, surface tensions, and work through disagreements in real time.
—Garrett Lucien, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
The idea was born of a recent trend of die-hard fans attending Pitbull concerts in bald caps, aviators, and snug-fitting suit jackets.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
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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,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With house‑inspired production and a darker, more experimental sound, the mini-album — which sold more than half a million copies in four days — hinted at the group’s creative ambition.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Launched in May 2025, Jan Janz represents a new chapter for the hotel with an experimental fusion cuisine of Asian flavors spearheaded by their Filipino head chef.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ultimately, whether the jury sides for or against Kaley in her case, the decision could guide the legal strategy and outcomes for both plaintiffs and the companies in other cases.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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In tandem with the spring wildflowers, there are typically guided birding excursions and talks on Shenandoah National Park’s spring ecosystems.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The willful Sun enters your 8th House of Shared Resources and Intimacy, steering you to manage commitments and share power with integrity.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is a nearly magical technology that steers the car through city streets like a robotic chauffeur.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
If their offensive flow collapses without his secondary playmaking, that’s a developmental gap.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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Today, therapy is framed less as a last resort and more as a developmental support.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wrestling royalty and two-time NCAA national champion at Iowa State, Dan Gable coached at Iowa from 1976 to 1997 after his competitive career ended.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
17 Feb. 2026
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Petrosian is coached by Eteri Tutberidze, the controversial and prolific women's coach whose many former charges include Kamila Valieva — the Russian skater who was disqualified from the 2022 Olympics over a doping scandal.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday in a season baseball opener, Sheffer showed his improved power at the plate, delivering two doubles, while also showing off his speed with an infield single and stolen base.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Emails also show Aidan's apparent close relationship with Terje Rød-Larsen, a high-profile Norwegian diplomat facing scrutiny over contacts with Epstein, along with his wife.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Turkey arrests journalist on insult claim ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities on Friday formally arrested investigative journalist Alican Uludag, charging him with insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a series of social media posts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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Similarly, Forensic Accountants are seeing a surge in demand as organizations confront sophisticated, cross-border fraud schemes that leverage AI and require investigative judgment no machine can replicate.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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