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
The Thorns are trailblazers in American and global women’s soccer.
—
Theo Lloyd-Hughes, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Both the film’s protagonist and the filmmaking behind The French Connection were trailblazers in their own way.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
She was drawn by the burgeoning independent living community, led by trailblazers like Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann, who years prior had started pushing for more rights and resources.
—Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
There are so many trailblazers who have come before me, paving the way and cracking glass ceilings that once felt unbreakable.
—Brittany Pettersen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Some of them are trailblazers, some fought in war; others fought in a courtroom, or for equality in sports and business.
—CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
The summit will recognize trailblazers in fashion, beauty and philanthropy.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Wonder women in American history Who were most transformative female organizers, creators, activists, innovators, revolutionaries and trailblazers in American history?
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While Jolie is not one of the trend’s trailblazers, the dress did not feel outside of her wheelhouse.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Theo Lloyd-Hughes, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Both the film’s protagonist and the filmmaking behind The French Connection were trailblazers in their own way.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
She was drawn by the burgeoning independent living community, led by trailblazers like Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann, who years prior had started pushing for more rights and resources.
—Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
There are so many trailblazers who have come before me, paving the way and cracking glass ceilings that once felt unbreakable.
—Brittany Pettersen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Some of them are trailblazers, some fought in war; others fought in a courtroom, or for equality in sports and business.
—CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
The summit will recognize trailblazers in fashion, beauty and philanthropy.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Wonder women in American history Who were most transformative female organizers, creators, activists, innovators, revolutionaries and trailblazers in American history?
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While Jolie is not one of the trend’s trailblazers, the dress did not feel outside of her wheelhouse.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
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
-
The lake’s volume had fallen about 67% since pioneers settled the valley.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 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
Noun
-
Instead of hauling every liter of life support from Earth, future explorers might be able to simply harvest the lunar landscape.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The windy, cliff-hugging 68-mile stretch introduces road explorers to one of the most diverse ecosystems accessible by auto.—
Lynn O'Rourke Hayes,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saw Wee Kee, Waa Kee Sha and their surrounding areas have long been more than just recreation sites, and have rich histories extending back well before the earliest American settlers first arrived, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Early Spanish settlers called this fish grunion, which means grunter.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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