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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pilots
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower had been overly reliant on asking pilots to spot other aircraft and maintain visual separation.
—Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The event, held on January 18, showed how far combat drone software and sensors have progressed as air forces push toward autonomous systems that can fight alongside human pilots.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Two pilots increase the possibility of noticing when things aren't right and being able to react.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
But at the investigative hearings last summer, board members questioned how well the crew could spot the plane while wearing night vision goggles and whether the pilots were even looking in the right spot.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Marines can direct the bomb-laden drone to crash directly into targets, which is reminiscent of how Japanese pilots flew their own planes into American warships during World War II.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Close to a dozen states, including West Virginia, Ohio and New York, have launched full programs or are currently running pilots.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Not Just Tools But an AI Brain While MIT reports that only 5% of AI pilots successfully deliver tangible business value, Fetcherr is engineered to ensure our clients define that high-performing exception.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Watch On For each mission simulation, one astronaut pilots the aircraft while another charts the landing area, marking key landmarks, identifying potential hazards and helping to track the flight path.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Court documents filed in December by the Department of Justice as part of a civil lawsuit brought last year by the family of a passenger killed on flight 5342 show the US government admitting failures by the Black Hawk pilots and a controller in the Reagan National Airport tower.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower had been overly reliant on asking pilots to spot other aircraft and maintain visual separation.
—Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The event, held on January 18, showed how far combat drone software and sensors have progressed as air forces push toward autonomous systems that can fight alongside human pilots.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Two pilots increase the possibility of noticing when things aren't right and being able to react.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
But at the investigative hearings last summer, board members questioned how well the crew could spot the plane while wearing night vision goggles and whether the pilots were even looking in the right spot.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Marines can direct the bomb-laden drone to crash directly into targets, which is reminiscent of how Japanese pilots flew their own planes into American warships during World War II.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Close to a dozen states, including West Virginia, Ohio and New York, have launched full programs or are currently running pilots.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Not Just Tools But an AI Brain While MIT reports that only 5% of AI pilots successfully deliver tangible business value, Fetcherr is engineered to ensure our clients define that high-performing exception.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Watch On For each mission simulation, one astronaut pilots the aircraft while another charts the landing area, marking key landmarks, identifying potential hazards and helping to track the flight path.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilots
Noun
-
However the role of naval aviators—renowned for their flying skills—has not been eliminated, and unmanned technology is seeing pilots able to wield swarms of drones under their command in flight.—
Zita Ballinger Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
With allowable errors in the helicopter’s altimeters and other equipment, as well as Army rules expecting aviators to hold their altitude within 100 feet, the aircraft can end up being much closer.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company now guides 2026 capital expenditures, including finance leases, of roughly $115–$135 billion, placing it among the largest single-year capex spenders in the AI and hyperscaler universe.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That same human centric values-first posture guides how Ingka evaluates partners.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The lifestyle and luxury executive, who joined Trudon in March 2025, also steers the creative strategy of its sister company Carrière Frères, a French interior fragrance brand.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Toyota steers through rough terrain Economic uncertainty and inflation made 2025 a tough year for new-car sales.—
Matthew Heimer,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The team won six AFC North titles, appeared in four AFC championship games and won a Super Bowl under Harbaugh, whose younger brother Jim coaches the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Veteran head coaches John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin hit the market.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How Phantom Shuttle steals your data Socket researchers say Phantom Shuttle routes all your web traffic through proxy servers controlled by the attacker.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
This underwater infrastructure quietly routes 95-99% of internet traffic, depending on the estimate, and are both complex to install and critical to the functioning of the web.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Video shows Thompson walking down the sidewalk outside the hotel when a man approaches from behind and opens fire.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Hinton’s work shows how institutions—from urban police to public housing and segregated, underfunded schools—have, through their practices, entrenched a racially unjust status quo.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilots. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
