as in aviators
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
1
as in guides
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 steers
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 pilots
Joel Rose, NPR, 19 May 2026
Two pilots from the batch, Untitled Witness Protection and Movers, did not go forward.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 May 2026
In many Western markets, meanwhile, efforts are still stuck in pilots or analytics that rarely translate into action.
—Sanjay Brahmawar, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Two fighter pilots and the head of Cuba's air force were also charged with murder in federal court but were never tried.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 May 2026
With drones increasingly used to kill on the battlefield, their pilots have become key targets for both sides — a reality that’s absent from the recruitment material.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 12 May 2026
After the victim was struck, pilots aborted the plane's takeoff and smoke began filling the cabin.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Winners were chosen from more than 50 independent pilots in the Comedy, Drama, and Unscripted competitions, which will receive $25K in-kind post production support from Company 3.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
That level of variability is exactly why pilots are instructed to be conservative and do what makes sense in the name of safety.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Benji gives in to whatever Jake wants, desperate not to rock the boat, while Jake frequently pilots their relationship, taking control without giving much thought to Benji and his desires.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
The drones are always recording and equipped with high-quality zoom and thermal cameras as a Cincinnati police officer remotely pilots the drone from the department's command center.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2025
When Claire’s adult daughter Channing pilots the idea of going on a ski trip next year and starting her own holiday traditions, Claire completely ices her out and won’t consider it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
Maito then pilots one of these robots, called Gaine, and teams up with other mecha to take down the real evil Nouvelle Tokyo City.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Fifteen people were killed, including all three pilots on the plane.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 19 May 2026
Two pilots from the batch, Untitled Witness Protection and Movers, did not go forward.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 May 2026
In many Western markets, meanwhile, efforts are still stuck in pilots or analytics that rarely translate into action.
—Sanjay Brahmawar, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Two fighter pilots and the head of Cuba's air force were also charged with murder in federal court but were never tried.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 May 2026
With drones increasingly used to kill on the battlefield, their pilots have become key targets for both sides — a reality that’s absent from the recruitment material.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 12 May 2026
After the victim was struck, pilots aborted the plane's takeoff and smoke began filling the cabin.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Winners were chosen from more than 50 independent pilots in the Comedy, Drama, and Unscripted competitions, which will receive $25K in-kind post production support from Company 3.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
That level of variability is exactly why pilots are instructed to be conservative and do what makes sense in the name of safety.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Verb
There's also an optional co-op mode, which allows two players to split the controls of the Arwing starfighter and other vehicles; one person pilots them while the other shoots at enemies.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Benji gives in to whatever Jake wants, desperate not to rock the boat, while Jake frequently pilots their relationship, taking control without giving much thought to Benji and his desires.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
The drones are always recording and equipped with high-quality zoom and thermal cameras as a Cincinnati police officer remotely pilots the drone from the department's command center.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2025
When Claire’s adult daughter Channing pilots the idea of going on a ski trip next year and starting her own holiday traditions, Claire completely ices her out and won’t consider it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
Maito then pilots one of these robots, called Gaine, and teams up with other mecha to take down the real evil Nouvelle Tokyo City.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilots
Noun
-
These blackouts occur when intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from solar flares ionize Earth's upper atmosphere, interfering with high-frequency radio signals used by aviators, mariners and amateur radio operators.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
Previously, aviators could use the $165-per-month Starlink Roam plan on their aircraft, but as its name suggests, Aviation 300MPH capped the in-motion internet access at 300mph, so Roam was no longer an option on planes.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among other damage, the oil can essentially suffocate mangrove trees, interfere with hawksbill turtles’ and green sea turtles’ sense of smell that guides their navigation, and prevent fish from reproducing.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
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Sal Rodriguez, the opinion editor for the Southern California News Group’s 11 newspapers, heads the editorial board and guides our stances on public policy and political matters.—
Teagan Davidge,
Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In this specific case, the system is called the Bermuda high, a semipermanent area of high pressure hanging out over the Atlantic Ocean to the east of North America that is also one of the atmospheric features that steers summer hurricanes.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
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The state’s local control funding formula, passed in his first term, steers more money to schools with more low-income, English-learner and foster students.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Carrick’s backroom staff are set to stay on, with assistant Steve Holland, who is seen as instrumental, and coaches Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion all in line for new deals.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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One area that Brecka coaches A-listers on is sleep.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
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This is software that encrypts data traffic and routes it through private tunnels to secure servers to prevent anyone from being able to read it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
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The platform that routes content to the right provider, enforces terminology, tracks usage, maintains audit trails, and integrates with CI/CD pipelines and CMS platforms becomes the product.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the Wall Street Journal, new data shows the growth of xAI’s two-year old chatbot, Grok, has stagnated.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
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Resident video shows aftermath Initial video released Sunday by a nearby resident showed officers running along the light‑rail tracks toward a person, and one officer kicking away what appears to be a gun from the individual on the ground.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilots. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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