1
as in pioneer
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
a style of jazz that the vanguard quickly recognized as new and exciting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement
talk radio is often regarded as being in the vanguard of the conservative movement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vanguard
Founded in 2010, Big Health, which makes cognitive behavioral therapy apps to treat anxiety and insomnia, was among the original vanguard of digital therapeutics companies.
—
Mario Aguilar, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
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
As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Mario Aguilar, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
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
As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard
Noun
-
Though ostracized in their time, people who resisted internment are now seen as civil-rights pioneers.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The artist, lawyer and running pioneer unveiled her self-portrait in bronze alongside the Hopkinton Town Green this spring — the first statue of a woman on the historic route to Boston.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For more than 35 years, The Women’s Hospital at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center has been at the forefront of maternity care – opening the first Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum (LDRP) suites in Orange County in 1988.—
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
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The 28-year-old Loyola journalism graduate has been at the forefront of DIY reporting since his teens, beginning with interviews of fringe dark-web figures and protest movements during a gap year.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The same goes for the Pixies, one of the most influential bands ever from the American underground, inspiring Nirvana and all that followed — yet never nominated.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Several ideas included cap designs or putting the highway underground.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, falls somewhere between the avant-garde works at the Reina Sofia and the traditional Spanish art at the Prado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Explore stores specializing in items from the 17th to 20th centuries — everything from midcentury modern furniture to avant-garde oil paintings — and others offering design pieces befitting Palm Beach style.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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