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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
His wife, Savannah, is a captain in the Air Force and his brothers are pilots.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
In addition to high fuel costs, tightening airspace also threatens to derail the global travel industry, as pilots reroute to avoid the Middle East conflict and capacity on popular routes fills up.
—Shivangi Lahiri, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
But pilots also chose to take other jobs, leaving Spirit short on staffing.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The group also fears that losing Starlink access could endanger pilots, since the satellite internet service can be used for emergency communications and to receive important weather alerts.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
That marks a dramatic shift from current robotaxi pilots.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Our pilots have started returning from the south.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
The source added that American fighter pilots used heavy bombs from the bombers to penetrate those facilities with the aim of destroying them.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 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
Rhoda says the new funding will support further research and engineering work, industrial pilots, and expansion of its robotics team.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
His wife, Savannah, is a captain in the Air Force and his brothers are pilots.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
In addition to high fuel costs, tightening airspace also threatens to derail the global travel industry, as pilots reroute to avoid the Middle East conflict and capacity on popular routes fills up.
—Shivangi Lahiri, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
But pilots also chose to take other jobs, leaving Spirit short on staffing.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The group also fears that losing Starlink access could endanger pilots, since the satellite internet service can be used for emergency communications and to receive important weather alerts.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
That marks a dramatic shift from current robotaxi pilots.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Our pilots have started returning from the south.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
The source added that American fighter pilots used heavy bombs from the bombers to penetrate those facilities with the aim of destroying them.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 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
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The Rolling Stones x Revo collection offers great aviators, too, with everyday wearability, impeccable polarization and just a touch of rock star edge.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Bring it into 2026 by trying oversized aviators in place of oval shades.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Congress, several bills have been introduced recently targeting shariah — the framework that guides Muslims, including on prayer and ethical conduct.—
Luis Andres Henao,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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This cosmic support guides your efforts to find a workable rhythm to your daily duties at home.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whether China can use that shifting landscape to accelerate its rise as a global power will depend in part on how well Xi’s government steers the economy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Co-produced by Jorge Milliano, Tomy B and J-Trons, and written by Gael, Kenneth Vargas, and Derek, the song steers away from Nicky’s signature reggaetón sound, and welcomes the Puerto Rican artist into Venesti’s musical realm — one that’s powered by Latin Afrobeats and pop fusions.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Longtime Lynbrook coaches David Pugh and Mark Shem have done a great job developing legal talent.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
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In addition to using the Authors Unite email lists, Wagner also coaches authors on how to use their own network to give bestseller campaigns an extra boost, helps authors land podcast appearances and more.—
Malana Van Tyler,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 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
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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
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Satellite analysis by the AP shows that the school, as well as other targets struck the same day, had characteristics visible from the air that could have identified them as civilian sites before they were struck.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Fanning has been suspended without pay for assaulting two women, including his 30-year-old daughter, a court docket shows Thursday.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilots. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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