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 program also paid tribute to trailblazers like Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, jazz legend Louis Armstrong and renowned poet Maya Angelou.
—
Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 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
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
Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
-
In the early morning hours in 1959, a small airplane carrying early rock pioneers Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens crashed in a frozen Iowa cornfield, killing all on board.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Before the game, Brown gave a speech to the crowd while accompanied by family members of the three pioneers.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And farther off, toward the mountains, the Cimarronaje—the settlements of the Black Seminoles and Mascogos who, on escaping slavery, became colonists of a territory that asked for their protection in exchange for ownership.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
From the days of colonists and pirates to the more modern era (of, say, bankers and lawyers servicing offshore corporations), its touristic charms have gone largely unappreciated.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The personal, intimate look invited explorers to travel back in time and imagine what once was.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The ship offers a rare opportunity to follow in the footsteps of historic polar explorers, paired with refined design, exceptional cuisine and a strong scientific mission.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the 1850s, settlers from around the world poured into California to seek their fortunes during the Gold Rush.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The findings reveal the Arctic settlers’ seafaring nature and deep understanding of the waters around them.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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