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
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
Six Idaho leaders will be honored at a first-of-its-kind event celebrating athletes, coaches and trailblazers who have paved the way for the next generation of girls and women in Idaho sports.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Keep reading to find out the inspired true story of Hidden Figures, from its historically accurate events to its inspiring real-life trailblazers.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Dawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Staley was one of the trailblazers of the WNBA, a six-time All-Star who became one of the top floor generals of her era.
—The Athletic Peak Staff, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
It is intended to connect current crew members with McDonald’s alumni trailblazers who’ve turned their early lessons under the Golden Arches into thriving careers in entrepreneurship, food, fashion, and sports.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Six Idaho leaders will be honored at a first-of-its-kind event celebrating athletes, coaches and trailblazers who have paved the way for the next generation of girls and women in Idaho sports.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Keep reading to find out the inspired true story of Hidden Figures, from its historically accurate events to its inspiring real-life trailblazers.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Dawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Staley was one of the trailblazers of the WNBA, a six-time All-Star who became one of the top floor generals of her era.
—The Athletic Peak Staff, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
It is intended to connect current crew members with McDonald’s alumni trailblazers who’ve turned their early lessons under the Golden Arches into thriving careers in entrepreneurship, food, fashion, and sports.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
Editor's Favorites The creators of Miss Jessie’s are pioneers of the natural hair movement.—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mustaine is revered as one of the pioneers of thrash metal, a subgenre that combines the breakneck velocity of early American hardcore bands such as Circle Jerks and Misfits with the precision and power of British metal groups like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.—
Jon Wiederhorn,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Decades before the Declaration of Independence, colonists organized boycotts and public demonstrations opposing British rule.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His outrageous attacks on the citizens of Minnesota are as egregious as anything the British Redcoats did to provoke American colonists into revolution, that started with the Battle of Lexington (painting).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leapher plans to produce a limited number of yachts each year, focusing solely on eco-friendly explorers.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Spanish and English explorers arrived in the 1500s.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Footage from one camera shows approximately two dozen settlers dressed in black entering the village.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Many indigenous groups on this continent whom settlers swindled, attacked, and displaced have a long history of using sweat lodges both for cleaning the body and in ritual.—
Madeline Leung Coleman,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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