trailblazers

plural of trailblazer
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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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 Upon its inception, the neighboring Théâtre des Champs-Élysées brought composers, theatergoers, and fashion trailblazers to regularly dine at the property. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 United were trailblazers at that time, going into European competition against the wishes of the English Football League, which felt doing so would damage the integrity of English football. Andy Mitten, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 The greatest trailblazers of all are oblivious to any slings and arrows. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 The series features intimate conversations with trailblazers like YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, USB inventor Ajay Bhatt, NBA star Jeremy Lin, television chef Martin Yan and many others, highlighting the impact of AAPIs in various sectors. Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazers
Noun
  • Little wonder that the pioneers of the medium ditched the cold, clammy, and crowded precincts of New York and New Jersey to light out for the picture-perfect vista.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Punk For seven brilliant years in the nineties, the Washington punk-rock band Bikini Kill kicked up a ruckus as pioneers of the riot-grrrl movement.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Japan regained sovereignty over the island in the 1970s, but the American military still has a heavy presence there, continuing tensions between locals and the armed colonists surrounding them.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In his telling, the Lenape agreed to sell Dutch colonists only as much land on Manhattan as could be covered by a man’s breeches.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • While some species are named after scientists or explorers, the researchers named this one Leopardus tilcayo, preserving the moniker used by communities in the tropical cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia where the animal lives.
    Paola Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The bespoke interior is a tribute to explorers of the past, with shapes, colors, and materials drawn from the people, vessels, and instruments of that world.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Afrikaners are descended from mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers who first came to South Africa in the 17th century.
    CBS News, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Festival-goers will find more than dozens of booths, including a large children’s area, a historical exhibit documenting local Hispanic settlers, and a fine art exhibit.
    Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trailblazers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazers. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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