1
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement
a company that is considered by some to be in the van of the latest technology for renewable energy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of van
To ease wait times, the county recently added seven vans to its fleet, bringing the total to 42.
—
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The van stopped, shifted into reverse and accelerated, scattering some protesters, then drove north on Prospect Street.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
The projects included restoring two bread ovens at a bakery destroyed by Russian warfare, and purchasing a delivery van so that bread could reach more people.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
There are wheelchair accessible vans between Nassau and Paradise Island.
—Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The van stopped, shifted into reverse and accelerated, scattering some protesters, then drove north on Prospect Street.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
The projects included restoring two bread ovens at a bakery destroyed by Russian warfare, and purchasing a delivery van so that bread could reach more people.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
There are wheelchair accessible vans between Nassau and Paradise Island.
—Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
-
Newsom portrayed California as a dominant force in the global economy and vanguard of the technology and entertainment sectors during his final State of the State address on Thursday.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hochman said the state’s DUI laws, considered among the nation’s vanguard four decades ago, have since lagged behind to become some of the nation's weakest.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
By combining Tailan’s battery expertise with Changan’s automotive manufacturing capabilities, the partnership positions both sides at the forefront of the evolving energy storage markets.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
These sports events temporarily reshape their surroundings as hotels swell, public spaces pulse with energy, and local traditions move to the forefront.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The same streets, the same underground.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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The seductive tale set in the nightclub underground of Weimar-era Berlin swept the Tony Awards the following year, earning Grey a trophy.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
His father, Carl Reiner, was a legendary pioneer in television who created the iconic 1960s comedy, The Dick Van Dyke Show.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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