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
Luther and Rebecca would call 15-passenger vans to shuttle the family to and from the airport on trips, and search for ample bedroom square-footage whenever purchasing a new home.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Nelson, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
According to documents, when the driver refused to get out of the van, the officers broke the window to try to get him out.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The siblings got back into the van and drove to Lincoln Hospital, where Ljukovic underwent surgery and has since been released.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Nelson, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
According to documents, when the driver refused to get out of the van, the officers broke the window to try to get him out.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The siblings got back into the van and drove to Lincoln Hospital, where Ljukovic underwent surgery and has since been released.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
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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
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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
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If optical interconnects transition from being an upgrade to a requisite, Marvell’s proactive stance in CPO may position it at the forefront of next-generation AI cluster design, with a more valuable role within the data center architecture.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Inclusivity is at the forefront of its core values, from hair and skin products for all ethnicities to gender-neutral loos and an LGBTQ+ ambassador.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The beauty of a fire underground is that heat rises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The same streets, the same underground.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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 29 Jan. 2026.
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