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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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."
Related Words
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 trailblazers
The Carters became trailblazers for the nascent genre in the late 1920s; James is known for writing hits for Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride and many others.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 June 2026
Over the years, some players have chosen to make this rapport vaguely, hilariously antagonistic, and while players like James Acaster may have been the trailblazers in this respect, Sophie Duker elevated it to an art form.
—
Matthew Jackson,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
And Knight joins a team headed by one of women’s hockey’s trailblazers in GM Manon Rheaume.
—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Continuing the support of Franco-American collaborations were high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus in Dallas, which, having already embraced the couture, continued to showcase trailblazers in French fashion like Cristóbal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy, amongst others.
—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Strikeforce held its first MMA event in 2006, a night that was echoed in the formula used by MVP this month, leaning on former UFC legends and trailblazers Ken Shamrock and Cesar Gracie.
—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
For decades, late-night TV has introduced trailblazers trying to break, or reinvent, the staid routine of stand-up monologues and celebrity chitchat.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
As part of the pregame ceremonies, the team will unveil a permanent display to honor former players and LGBTQ trailblazers Billy Bean and Glenn Burke.
—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
This past weekend, however, that same style buzz was injected into one of Santa Fe’s slower months—bringing together a unique crowd of Indigenous trailblazers and innovators that instantly livened up the city.
—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
11 May 2026
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 June 2026
Over the years, some players have chosen to make this rapport vaguely, hilariously antagonistic, and while players like James Acaster may have been the trailblazers in this respect, Sophie Duker elevated it to an art form.
—
Matthew Jackson,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
And Knight joins a team headed by one of women’s hockey’s trailblazers in GM Manon Rheaume.
—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Continuing the support of Franco-American collaborations were high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus in Dallas, which, having already embraced the couture, continued to showcase trailblazers in French fashion like Cristóbal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy, amongst others.
—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Strikeforce held its first MMA event in 2006, a night that was echoed in the formula used by MVP this month, leaning on former UFC legends and trailblazers Ken Shamrock and Cesar Gracie.
—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
For decades, late-night TV has introduced trailblazers trying to break, or reinvent, the staid routine of stand-up monologues and celebrity chitchat.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
As part of the pregame ceremonies, the team will unveil a permanent display to honor former players and LGBTQ trailblazers Billy Bean and Glenn Burke.
—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
This past weekend, however, that same style buzz was injected into one of Santa Fe’s slower months—bringing together a unique crowd of Indigenous trailblazers and innovators that instantly livened up the city.
—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
But it was then followed up by a Spanish hymn, sung by musicians, dressed in 18th-century Spanish Colonial attire, including the garb of soldado, vaquero, pioneers, military, and indigenous peoples.
-
As of January 2026, that federal evaluation included 17 UTM service providers and operators, a sign the framework is moving from two pioneers to an industry-wide layer.
Noun
-
After all, what could the specific complaints of colonists in 1776 have to do with 2026?
-
Competition over land and other resources frequently contributed to conflict between colonists and Native Americans.
Noun
-
Design practices Not knowing ahead of time what lunar explorers may face is an unsure, shuddering proposition.
-
The latest album from John Dwyer and his fellow garage-psych explorers embraces a fluid, improvisatory approach rooted in sprawling jam sessions and infinitely unspooling grooves.
Noun
-
The disagreement reflected broader frustrations among many frontier settlers.
-
Fossils dating back to the Pleistocene Age were found at this incredible site, which got its name from early settlers who thought the steam emanating from the underground space looked like smoke rising from hell.
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
