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
Ryan Baker, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
This team will be viewed as pioneers for a school that had never reached a state championship game in any team sport.
—Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Orringer's team has pioneered advanced tumor-visualization techniques to help patients.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
Between the 1919 Black Sox scandal and the 2005 World Series title, two-time White Sox owner Bill Veeck was a sports marketing pioneer, literally adding fireworks to the fan experience with the first exploding scoreboard at the original Comiskey Park.
—Ryan Baker, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
This team will be viewed as pioneers for a school that had never reached a state championship game in any team sport.
—Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
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
His many credits include performances with the New York Philharmonic, pioneering minimalist composer Philip Glass, genre-blurring singer Cecile McLorin Salvant and such past and present jazz powerhouses as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath and Wynton and Branford Marsalis.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Orringer's team has pioneered advanced tumor-visualization techniques to help patients.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
-
The area was later named in his honor, as more settlers moved in.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Volkspele were historical cosplay events for preteens, musical re-enactments of the Great Trek — the 19th-century migration of Afrikaner settlers away from British rule, heading inland in ox-wagons, that has been mythologized through tales of women and children crossing the Drakensberg barefoot.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Atom Power developed the world’s first commercial solid-state circuit breaker, which is drawing attention from hyperscale data centers to meet performance demands and safety needs.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The backstory Fufu Tokyo Ginza is the first urban property from Fufu Japan, a brand known for intimate onsen retreats in quieter corners of the country, seven of which hold Michelin Key distinctions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many key figures were associated with a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which aims to establish Christian dominion over American society and government.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Neither team could establish an early advantage in the game featured three lead changes and three ties during the opening seven minutes.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This practice outraged the American colonists, who believed that general warrants enabled tyranny by empowering officers to enter homes and businesses at will.—
Amanda Cats-Baril,
Twin Cities,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Hopis and Zunis were part of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, where Spanish colonists and priests were driven out of the pueblos of New Mexico and northeastern Arizona.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They were not required to enter a plea at an initial court appearance Monday and were ordered held without bail.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But the initial boost to stocks of Archer, BETA, and rival Joby Aviation was short-lived.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond, founded in 2009 and known primarily for its pea-protein burger patties and steaks, has had some turbulent times recently.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The 53-year-old Japanese designer, who founded cult label Number (N)ine in 1997, is relaunching the brand 15 years after stepping away from it.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Daniel Yergin, one of the world’s foremost energy experts, notes how China has become resilient in a different way, by pouring oil into storage for a rainy day.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Over the course of less than two decades, stop-motion animation house Laika has established itself as of one of the foremost makers of the beloved artform.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The county acted immediately after becoming aware of the video and initiated an investigation through the fraud unit of the California secretary of state’s office, said Erin Clausen, public information officer for the San Luis Obispo county clerk’s office.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The officers pulled their cruiser in front of the vehicle and turned on their blue lights to initiate a traffic stop.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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