as in steering
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1
as in guiding
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 conducting
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 navigating
to operate or control the course of
managed to pilot the plane to safety despite the failure of the left engine
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piloting
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
Give Charlotte credit for a forward-thinking move rather than auto-piloting into his next contract, but the short-term consequence is that there are no qualified starting centers here.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With Kinta piloting, and Momo’s psychic powers fused with Aira’s hair abilities, the group makes a desperate attempt to shift the battle in their favor.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Next comes some fancy piloting, the detachment of the thrusters, and then the scavenger ship is effectively so much deadweight in space, at least for now.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Given its long range and the high likelihood of operating in an environment compromised by electronic warfare system, the Liutyi is not designed for remote piloting.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has yet to say who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash (three people on board had pilot licenses).
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2026
Most recently, Milwaukee's Brady Street has begun piloting and all-red flashing traffic signal at East Brady Street and North Humboldt Boulevard, with more traffic calming measures on the way.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Director Jared Wiley noted the department is already piloting this technology as part of its Highway Safety Improvement Program.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026
For Flywing, the X-Wing Fighter represents a deliberate shift in RC design philosophy, one that prioritizes immersion over imagery and piloting over passive viewing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Two or three more lash machines will soon land in Dallas at Ulta, with whom Luum has been piloting an earlier version of the robot since 2023.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Alexan chronicled Paul competing in the Chicago Triathlon, snow skiing, water skiing and even co-piloting an airplane.
—Jeff Banowetz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
David McCarty, 59, was piloting the MD 369FF chopper, taking his nieces — Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 22 — for a ride, The Arizona Republic reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Unlike combat F-16s, however, the VISTA carries no weapons and is focused entirely on testing how software can replicate, and eventually surpass, human piloting skills.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
Give Charlotte credit for a forward-thinking move rather than auto-piloting into his next contract, but the short-term consequence is that there are no qualified starting centers here.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With Kinta piloting, and Momo’s psychic powers fused with Aira’s hair abilities, the group makes a desperate attempt to shift the battle in their favor.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Next comes some fancy piloting, the detachment of the thrusters, and then the scavenger ship is effectively so much deadweight in space, at least for now.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Given its long range and the high likelihood of operating in an environment compromised by electronic warfare system, the Liutyi is not designed for remote piloting.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
The transit authority is piloting three new styles of fare gates at 20 stations citywide.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has yet to say who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash (three people on board had pilot licenses).
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2026
Most recently, Milwaukee's Brady Street has begun piloting and all-red flashing traffic signal at East Brady Street and North Humboldt Boulevard, with more traffic calming measures on the way.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Director Jared Wiley noted the department is already piloting this technology as part of its Highway Safety Improvement Program.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026
For Flywing, the X-Wing Fighter represents a deliberate shift in RC design philosophy, one that prioritizes immersion over imagery and piloting over passive viewing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Two or three more lash machines will soon land in Dallas at Ulta, with whom Luum has been piloting an earlier version of the robot since 2023.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Alexan chronicled Paul competing in the Chicago Triathlon, snow skiing, water skiing and even co-piloting an airplane.
—Jeff Banowetz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
David McCarty, 59, was piloting the MD 369FF chopper, taking his nieces — Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 22 — for a ride, The Arizona Republic reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piloting
Noun
-
Winds of 30 miles an hour or more can interfere with the steering control of a school bus.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Standard rear-wheel steering has a hand in this, which also helps the 53’s ability to navigate tighter urban streets with ease.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Ravens fired John Harbaugh earlier this month after 18 seasons on the job, guiding them to a Super Bowl victory over Jim and the San Francisco 49ers after the 2012 season.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Others might prefer guiding their actor like in animation, shaping it through intention, timing and emotional framing.—
Eline Van der Velden,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Videos of the shooting show multiple officers approaching Good’s SUV, which had stopped in the middle of a one-way street in an area where ICE officers were conducting an operation.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Tremper developed over 100 contacts inside and outside major AI labs, sometimes conducting pre-interviews lasting up to 20 hours.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite hybrid work flexibility, employees are more tethered to their roles than ever—checking email after hours, attending back-to-back meetings that now average over 11 hours per week, and navigating expectations that blur work and life.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Sacagawea is connected to the Lewis and Clark expedition as a translator and helper in navigating Native American communities and spaces.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The advent of modern medications has made the management of high cholesterol much easier than just a few decades ago.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Fossett was a co-owner of the Stag Saloon for a time, but management didn’t appeal to him.—
Richard Selcer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After the '23 season, Cignetti accepted the head coaching job at Indiana University, and, because of the then-new lax transfer policy, took more than a dozen of his JMU players with him to Bloomington.—
Mac Engel Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The report also stated that LaFleur wasn’t coaching for his job against the Bears in the sense that his future wouldn’t be decided by four quarters.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Coming off his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season, Williams has a platform as one of the top running backs in the league.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The transition from fighting to running came amid another personal transformation.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the Arctic, leadership means recognizing that Greenland is not a curiosity or a punchline.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly seven years later, Kofod's successors -- again under the leadership of Frederiksen -- have faced a more protracted and aggressive campaign from Washington.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piloting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piloting. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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