as in revolutionary
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in founding
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
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 pioneering
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Getting Inspiration From Her Upbringing and Daughters With Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea, Harris aimed to pay tribute to her grandmother, Shyamala Gopalan, who was a pioneering scientist, researcher in the field of breast cancer, and mom to former Vice President Kamala Harris.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
Named after Ada Lovelace, the pioneering 19th-century British mathematician, the project could result in thousands of non-content jobs — including HR, finance, legal, and operations — being outsourced to private sector companies.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
In 1984, the owner of Calliope Studios invited Power to sit in as an engineer on a session for the pioneering Brooklyn rap outfit Stetsasonic.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Brutti cites Loie Fuller, whose Danse Serpentine became a pioneering cinematic marvel; Martha Graham; and Childs, who collaborated with the group during the pandemic.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
His father came to the United States from Mexico illegally then became a pioneering Mexican restaurateur in Los Angeles.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
French artist Sonia Delaunay, whose pioneering style examined the intersection of art and fashion, also was impressed by the textiles.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Reuters — American salsa legend Willie Colón, the pioneering trombonist, vocalist and composer, died on Saturday at age 75, his family said in a statement.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Osaka, the pioneering introvert, is an icon.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The Country Joe and the Fish frontman bridged psychedelic rock with biting political satire, pioneering a template for activist musicians.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The band signed a dual deal with Lumbre Music, an indie founded by the band Legado 7, and Rancho Humilde, the pioneering label led by Mexican music entrepreneur Jimmy Humilde.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Beyond creating individual landmarks, Gehry is celebrated for pioneering the use of advanced digital modeling software in architecture, allowing his studio to realize complex geometries that once seemed impossible to build.
—David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Also being feted in Thessaloniki will be pioneering Greek filmmaker Vouvoula Skoura, who will be celebrated with a showcase of 20 of her films, and iconic film producer Yorgos Papalios, whose name has become synonymous with the rebirth of Greek cinema rebirth.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Your research led you to a pioneering figure, David Ruggles.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Ditto at the rain-free Humphreys debuts of gospel-music legends The Blind Boys of Alabama, Brazilian music superstar Milton Nasciemento, solo guitarist Stanley Jordan, blues vocal dynamo Shemekia Copland, Portuguese fado singing star Mariza and, in 2017, the pioneering art-rock band King Crimson.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Getting Inspiration From Her Upbringing and Daughters With Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea, Harris aimed to pay tribute to her grandmother, Shyamala Gopalan, who was a pioneering scientist, researcher in the field of breast cancer, and mom to former Vice President Kamala Harris.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
Named after Ada Lovelace, the pioneering 19th-century British mathematician, the project could result in thousands of non-content jobs — including HR, finance, legal, and operations — being outsourced to private sector companies.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
In 1984, the owner of Calliope Studios invited Power to sit in as an engineer on a session for the pioneering Brooklyn rap outfit Stetsasonic.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Brutti cites Loie Fuller, whose Danse Serpentine became a pioneering cinematic marvel; Martha Graham; and Childs, who collaborated with the group during the pandemic.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
His father came to the United States from Mexico illegally then became a pioneering Mexican restaurateur in Los Angeles.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
French artist Sonia Delaunay, whose pioneering style examined the intersection of art and fashion, also was impressed by the textiles.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Reuters — American salsa legend Willie Colón, the pioneering trombonist, vocalist and composer, died on Saturday at age 75, his family said in a statement.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
Operating under the principle that two heads are better than one, pioneering Chicago craft breweries Half Acre and Maplewood are joining forces under one corporate umbrella.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Osaka, the pioneering introvert, is an icon.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The Country Joe and the Fish frontman bridged psychedelic rock with biting political satire, pioneering a template for activist musicians.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The band signed a dual deal with Lumbre Music, an indie founded by the band Legado 7, and Rancho Humilde, the pioneering label led by Mexican music entrepreneur Jimmy Humilde.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Beyond creating individual landmarks, Gehry is celebrated for pioneering the use of advanced digital modeling software in architecture, allowing his studio to realize complex geometries that once seemed impossible to build.
—David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Also being feted in Thessaloniki will be pioneering Greek filmmaker Vouvoula Skoura, who will be celebrated with a showcase of 20 of her films, and iconic film producer Yorgos Papalios, whose name has become synonymous with the rebirth of Greek cinema rebirth.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Your research led you to a pioneering figure, David Ruggles.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneering
Adjective
-
The Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, was founded by revolutionary statesman Sun Yat-sen and his Nationalist movement on the mainland in 1912.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants who came to Florida three years before Castro’s brother, revolutionary Fidel Castro, rose to power in 1959.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The current lineup features founding guitarist Neal Schon, longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, vocalist Arnel Pineda, drummer Deen Castronovo, bassist Todd Jensen and musician/backing vocalist Jason Derlatka.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Journalist Bryan Schott covered the Utah Legislature for years with a press pass, but was denied a credential after founding the news website Utah Political Watch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There's no doubt there's more trailblazing to be done.—
Brittany Talarico,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The iconic actress — renowned for playing Sandra Clark on the '80s sitcom 227 — not only graced our screens for decades with unparalleled talent but also stands tall as the trailblazing first Black actress to clinch an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987.—
Clay Cane,
Peoplemag,
3 Feb. 2024
Verb
-
Nile monitor lizards, a powerful invasive predator that can grow up to 7 feet long, are establishing breeding populations across multiple South Florida counties, and wildlife officials say the window to control them is closing fast.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Anderson said that would be the legacy of Perez’s last two years – and said establishing the autonomy of the Legislature is something Floridians will reap the rewards from.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The spa Aman’s approach to wellness is holistic and advanced, drawing on nearly 40 years of well-being practices across its entire portfolio.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The robot relies on advanced control algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Day’Ron Sharpe took over the middle of the fourth, initiating offense, winning loose-ball moments and piling up nine points and five rebounds in the final frame alone.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Those make up an overwhelming amount of all chases that officers in Milwaukee make – with officers citing reckless driving as the initiating reason in 742 of the 970 chases in 2025, according to police data.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fracturing of conservative communities leads a veteran Republican to retire and could help some incumbent Democrats fend off progressive challengers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The results represent a victory for the ruling Historic Pact, which has campaigned on promising to continue Petro’s program of progressive economic reforms.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To complement the sweet heat flavors of the new sandwich, the beloved chicken chain is also introducing a full line of four Strawberry Hibiscus flavored beverages.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Latest Flavors The team at Reese’s has been busy introducing new variations of its classic candy in recent months.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pioneering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneering. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
