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 tower is a nod to five Black architects, trailblazers whose creations sometimes went unnoticed or overlooked.
—
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
The book includes the stories of pioneers like Michele Obama, and Ilona Maher who uplift others and their communities.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The early pioneers set the tone.—
Gina Góngora,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Quebec Act, which protected Catholicism in neighboring Quebec, was seen by some colonists as a threat and is reflected in grievances in the Declaration of Independence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
For one, Indigenous people resisted American colonists’ expansion into their ancestral homelands, raiding their farms and settlements in the Ohio Valley.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Our travelers are first and foremost explorers!—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
While most attribute its origin to a 1621 feast between Pilgrims and indigenous peoples in present-day Massachusetts, Spanish explorers held a similar celebration in 1541 in present-day Texas.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this month, three Palestinians were killed in a violent clash with settlers near Khirbet Abu Falah, east of Ramallah, and in a rare rebuke, the Israeli military strongly condemned the settler violence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Mohamad Torokman / Reuters The Palestinian Health Ministry said one Palestinian was also killed in an attack by Israeli settlers overnight.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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