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
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
As the flight neared its destination, pilots alerted air traffic control about the unexpected medical situation.
—Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
At New Garden Flying Field, a small regional airport in Toughkenamon, Chester County, pilots are also paying more to fill up.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The last decision left to make as CBS executives put together the 2026-27 schedule is which of the network’s two pilots, Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks, will get a spot on it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Kristen, this is why the — the president and Secretary Hegseth’s rhetoric about no mercy, no quarter, death from above, bomb you to the Stone Ages, this kind of rhetoric is really dangerous because the likelihood of having downed pilots or others who are captured in a war like this is very high.
—NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots killed in the crash at LaGuardia Airport, was a French-speaking Quebecer.
—CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
In this environment, pilots are in constant communication with air traffic control and rely on advanced systems onboard the aircraft.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 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
Last month, two Air Canada pilots died when their regional jet collided with a fire truck, and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking into whether the air traffic controller played a role.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
As the flight neared its destination, pilots alerted air traffic control about the unexpected medical situation.
—Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
At New Garden Flying Field, a small regional airport in Toughkenamon, Chester County, pilots are also paying more to fill up.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The last decision left to make as CBS executives put together the 2026-27 schedule is which of the network’s two pilots, Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks, will get a spot on it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Kristen, this is why the — the president and Secretary Hegseth’s rhetoric about no mercy, no quarter, death from above, bomb you to the Stone Ages, this kind of rhetoric is really dangerous because the likelihood of having downed pilots or others who are captured in a war like this is very high.
—NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots killed in the crash at LaGuardia Airport, was a French-speaking Quebecer.
—CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
In this environment, pilots are in constant communication with air traffic control and rely on advanced systems onboard the aircraft.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 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
-
The museum has a collection of artifacts and aircrafts such as the Apollo 9 Command Module, a mock-up of the Lockheed Vega 5B, flown by Amelia Earhart, B-58 Hustler flight plans and various pictures of famous aviators and airplanes.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The United States rescued two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each move is supported by a dedicated specialist who guides the customer from initial inquiry through move day completion, ensuring clarity at every stage.—
NIa Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
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Chef Mickey Knutson guides participants through menus such as Market Vegetable Forward (April 14) and Elevated Pub Grub (May 12), each one welcoming students with a seasonal cocktail.—
Nicole Schnitzler,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This could be a program-defining weekend for UCLA or Texas — the first national title in the NCAA era for the Bruins or the first in 40 years for the Longhorns — and by extension, coaches Cori Close and Vic Schaefer.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Leonard coaches an athlete who has shown pro potential, his son, Caden Leonard.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pact routes those materials through specialized processing, diverting large volumes of material from landfills, said Snider.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Video uploaded to social media shows Peralta speeding through the neighborhood with an NYPD squad car in pursuit.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The bundles are available through StreamStore, Xfinity’s digital storefront for streaming apps and services, which includes more than 450 streaming apps and channels and 200,000 movies and TV shows to rent or purchase.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilots. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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