1
as in guided
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
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2
as in steered
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 piloted
But only 38 percent of the 2026 event’s entries ran autonomously, organizers say; the rest were piloted remotely.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
After narrowing the options, the resource was piloted in classrooms and evaluated, per the district memo.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Entrants had to meet some basic criteria, including either being fully autonomous (making their own decisions using AI and sensors) or remotely controlled (piloted by a human), with the competition putting an emphasis on the former over raw speed.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
The bunk beds were first piloted in 2024, but will now expand to the new Dreamliners.
—Emma Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for piloted
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
After narrowing the options, the resource was piloted in classrooms and evaluated, per the district memo.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Entrants had to meet some basic criteria, including either being fully autonomous (making their own decisions using AI and sensors) or remotely controlled (piloted by a human), with the competition putting an emphasis on the former over raw speed.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
The bunk beds were first piloted in 2024, but will now expand to the new Dreamliners.
—Emma Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for piloted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piloted
Verb
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Kerr, 60, got his first coaching job in 2014-15 and immediately guided the Warriors to the franchise’s first title in 40 years.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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Kerr, 60, got his first coaching job in 2014-15 and immediately guided Golden State to the franchise’s first title in 40 years.—
Janie McCauley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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These gaps — as well as the significant positives of antidepressants and the risks of untreated depression — steered the authors’ research.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Advocaat had steered Curacao – an island in the Caribbean Sea that is home to around 155,000 people – to the first World Cup in their history in November.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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But Milan go to Genoa next, a team coached by De Rossi, a Roma icon.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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In three seasons, Nurse has coached the Sixers to a 116-130 record and two playoff appearances.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The investigation was conducted by HSI New England, HSI Hudson Valley, the Orange County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, and the Danbury, Ridgefield, and Watertown Police Departments.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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According to a survey conducted last year by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), 34 percent of museums have been hit with the cancellation of government grants or contracts and 13 percent have been subjected to new legal restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Some celebrity dogs are just as famous as their human parents, including Pilaf — Demi Moore's teeny-tiny pup who has accompanied her everywhere from fashion week to Broadway shows — and Ariana Grande's Toulouse, who graced the cover of Vogue in August 2019.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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Head chef and owner Diego Briones has created an accomplished, light-hearted menu with hero European ingredients such as white asparagus, accompanied by more unusual combinations like coconut and green papaya.—
Jaymi McCann,
TheWeek,
8 May 2026
Verb
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And that caused Philadelphia’s ownership group, led by Sixers governor Josh Harris, to part ways with team president Daryl Morey and search for a new strategic voice to lead basketball operations.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Morton also led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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About 150 passengers and crew members were screened earlier and found to be asymptomatic, but one French passenger showed symptoms on Sunday on the flight home.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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The only sign of life was an electronic arrivals screen, which showed the arrival times of flights from Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Myrtle Beach, and Detroit.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piloted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piloted. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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