as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
he single-handedly pioneered the university's institute for medical research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pioneer
Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
WeChat is often seen as the pioneer of super apps, a term that refers to an application with multiple functions, such as messaging and payments.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2025
McCallany and Jonathan Groff starred as the fictional Tench and Holden Ford, based on the FBI agents who pioneered the modern system of serial-killer profiling.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
Past honorees have included educators, pastors, philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, artists, medical pioneers, entrepreneurs, researchers, advocates for veterans and those with disabilities and small business owners who give back to the community.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
WeChat is often seen as the pioneer of super apps, a term that refers to an application with multiple functions, such as messaging and payments.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Adjective
In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
To solve this issue, scientists have pioneered a plan to introduce frozen bubbles messages as a new method of communication.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2025
McCallany and Jonathan Groff starred as the fictional Tench and Holden Ford, based on the FBI agents who pioneered the modern system of serial-killer profiling.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
-
Changing forests fueled tick risks During the 18th and 19th centuries, settlers cleared more than half the forested land across the northeastern U.S., cutting down forests for timber and to make way for farms, towns and mining operations.—
Sean Lawrence,
The Conversation,
18 June 2025
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Before European settlers arrived in California and insisted on suppressing fire at every turn, the landscape burned regularly.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Lake was among Luminate’s top five CCM artists in the first half of 2024, and his star has only risen since then.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
17 June 2025
-
This is such a pivotal New York City song that Lorne Michaels asked Simon to sing it on the first SNL after 9/11.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Verb
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The cinematic shot language of existential car racing is, of course, well established.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 June 2025
-
Fortunately, Lehane is a great enough crime author to be able to imitate a terrible one(*), and being more overt about that helps to better establish who Dave is.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
The community’s festive send-off identifies this as an important rite of passage, though the gatekeeper reminds Spike that no rescuers or search parties will be sent after colonists that fail to return.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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For most white Americans, and especially enslavers, the white colonists of Saint Domingue experiencing these changes were a focus of racial empathy.—
Time,
Time,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
The project saw its construction costs triple from an initial request for proposals estimate of $54 million in 2021 to its final budget of $152 million, which was presented to the University of California Board of Regents for approval in 2022.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
-
Pele made it 3-1, then Zagallo put the game to bed with Brazil’s fourth after his initial corner was not cleared.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Verb
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Enslaved Black people were banned from reading and writing and even those who had their freedom couldn't always access formal schooling, so African Americans began founding colleges of their own.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
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Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, founded the festival with inclusion in mind.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Sindhu Bhaskar,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Lindell was one of the foremost conspiracy theorists in pushing claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Verb
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The proceedings were initiated following a complaint filed by La Liga, which joined the case as a private prosecutor.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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The beloved shortstop wanted to be in Boston for his entire career, and even initiated a team-friendly extension to further that dream.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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