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
Nelson, one of the shooting victims, 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, 13 Feb. 2026
Eligible vehicles include cars, minivans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks and motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
That strategy guides Vanlab's work inside the tiny 470-cm-long (185-in) Kia PV5 Passenger van, where the company creates a vis-a-vis bench lounge behind the van's second row of seating.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
One site, near South San Joaquin Road about 14 miles west of the city, is populated with people living out of cars, vans and old RVs.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Eligible vehicles include cars, minivans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks and motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
That strategy guides Vanlab's work inside the tiny 470-cm-long (185-in) Kia PV5 Passenger van, where the company creates a vis-a-vis bench lounge behind the van's second row of seating.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
One site, near South San Joaquin Road about 14 miles west of the city, is populated with people living out of cars, vans and old RVs.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
-
One of the year’s buzziest debuts so far comes from Xaviersobased, a 22-year-old musician who’s part of a vanguard of digital-native artists whose music is at once informed by the 2010s (Xavier’s name is a nod to millennial rap entity Lil B the BasedGod) and entirely of the moment.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2026
-
China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The agency is at the forefront of Israel’s battle against Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In the short term, Kennard provides extra length for a team looking to spread the floor with Luca Doncic and LeBron James at the forefront.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Reasons for living underground The first rule of both shows?—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Pres, a veteran of the East Coast underground, became familiar with Gabe after hearing him rip a verse on billy woods’ 2022 album, Aethiopes.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rowe and Mark May were presenters, while Rowe, a pioneer in women's sports broadcasting, interviewed all the nominees in her charming and entertaining way.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
While many potential topics were considered and may yet become exhibits themselves in the near future, press and print emerged as an early favorite due to the unique nature of the pioneer-era objects in our collection.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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