1
as in pioneers
a person or group that originates new concepts, styles, and techniques
The Beatles are recognized as some of the greatest trailblazers of rock music.
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2
as in colonists
a person who settles in a new region
The Mayflower brought with it a group of European trailblazers, determined to make a home of that land dubbed "New England."
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Recent Examples of trailblazers
Earlier trailblazers such as Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky had demonstrated the potential of meditative moviemaking.
—
Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
This is an ideal time to reflect on the brilliance, resilience and outstanding achievements of trailblazers like Mara Brock Akil to Angel Reese to Ursula Burns, to be reminded of what is possible.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
From performing traditional chinelo dances as a kid to watching his father DJ cumbia sonidera and banda sets in his neighborhood — Santy began experimenting with his own musical style since the pandemic, inspired by corridos tumbados trailblazers like Herencia de Patrones and Legado 7.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025
Radio was instrumental to creating political power and representation of the community, Amandi said, adding that without radio, many politicians would not have reached important national political positions, becoming trailblazers for Hispanics.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
With their eclectic sound, The Mavericks are cemented as groovy, musical trailblazers in the Nashville music community and beyond.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025
Harold would be thrilled to be recognizing these two trailblazers with his award.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Presented by GoldenTV and Character Media, the evening will feature live performances, tributes and award presentations recognizing pioneers and trailblazers across entertainment, fashion and culture.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
The Sherry Lansing Leadership Award recognizes trailblazers and philanthropists in entertainment and media and was established in honor of Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a Hollywood studio (Lansing is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures).
—Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
This is an ideal time to reflect on the brilliance, resilience and outstanding achievements of trailblazers like Mara Brock Akil to Angel Reese to Ursula Burns, to be reminded of what is possible.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
From performing traditional chinelo dances as a kid to watching his father DJ cumbia sonidera and banda sets in his neighborhood — Santy began experimenting with his own musical style since the pandemic, inspired by corridos tumbados trailblazers like Herencia de Patrones and Legado 7.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025
Radio was instrumental to creating political power and representation of the community, Amandi said, adding that without radio, many politicians would not have reached important national political positions, becoming trailblazers for Hispanics.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
With their eclectic sound, The Mavericks are cemented as groovy, musical trailblazers in the Nashville music community and beyond.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025
Harold would be thrilled to be recognizing these two trailblazers with his award.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Presented by GoldenTV and Character Media, the evening will feature live performances, tributes and award presentations recognizing pioneers and trailblazers across entertainment, fashion and culture.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
The Sherry Lansing Leadership Award recognizes trailblazers and philanthropists in entertainment and media and was established in honor of Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a Hollywood studio (Lansing is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures).
—Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
As the industry grew, pioneers like Henry Ford increased production through new machinery and business management practices, such as the assembly line and vertical integration.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Historians believe that the attack killed at least 400 colonists and soldiers, or about 1 in 6 Spaniards in New Mexico.—
Peter C. Mancall,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
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Baskets were a ubiquitous part of Chumash life before the colonists came.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The explorers held a small celebration and called their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
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Venezuela had been known to possess some crude — 15th-century Spanish explorers noticed indigenous people using oil for fires and asphalt to patch their canoes.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency says Sistrunk’s earliest settlers migrated from Georgia, South Carolina and the Bahamas in the late 1800s.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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In New England, Metacom’s, or King Philip’s, War – waged between Indigenous groups and English settlers – destroyed scores of communities in one of the most destructive conflicts, measured on a per capita basis, in American history.—
Peter C. Mancall,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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