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
Joseph somersaulting himself into a trash bag is both stealthier than Dale’s instinct to drive off in the highly recognizable Dale’s Dead Bug van and a great visual gag.
—
Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
Just before sunrise, a small group of newsmen slid into combat fatigues and safari jackets before slipping through the waking city in a convoy of vans and rental cars.
—Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
The latest mileage targets set under the Biden administration required automakers to get to an average of about 50 miles per gallon for light-duty vehicles by model year 2031, and about 35 miles per gallon for pickups and vans by model year 2035.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Williams borrowed a van and Johnson and the teenager donned masks and carried guns when the three set out to commit the robbery, according to complaints filed against the two adults.
—Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for van
Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
Just before sunrise, a small group of newsmen slid into combat fatigues and safari jackets before slipping through the waking city in a convoy of vans and rental cars.
—Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
The latest mileage targets set under the Biden administration required automakers to get to an average of about 50 miles per gallon for light-duty vehicles by model year 2031, and about 35 miles per gallon for pickups and vans by model year 2035.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Williams borrowed a van and Johnson and the teenager donned masks and carried guns when the three set out to commit the robbery, according to complaints filed against the two adults.
—Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
-
This wine style has been trending amongst the wine set for a few years now, and King is joining the next vanguard of unofficial ambassadors.—
Elizabeth Wellington,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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Since its founding in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has stood as a vanguard of leadership, scholarship, and public service.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Noun
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In my view, nations such as India have been at the forefront of e-visa innovation.—
Armand Arton,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The visit is Witkoff's fifth to Moscow since Trump took office, with the special envoy at the forefront of White House efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The speaker system—designed in part by Shepherd and Tom Smith, co-founder of the famed underground Cosmic Slop party in Leeds—was meant to reference the disco setups at New York’s Paradise Garage and sub-heavy sound systems of Jamaica.—
Jeremy D. Larson,
Pitchfork,
14 Aug. 2025
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Her family, which owns the oil and gas underground, received a percentage of the revenue generated from the company’s sale of the minerals, called a royalty.—
Jacob Orledge,
ProPublica,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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German production house Bavaria Fiction has become a green pioneer by securing validation for its headquarters under the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, the world’s most demanding environmental management system, and ISO 14001 Certification.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
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Restaurant Ark: Holding a prestigious Michelin Green Star, Ark is a pioneer in vegan fine dining.—
Michele Robson,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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