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
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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
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Recent Examples of vanguard
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
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
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
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
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
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard
Noun
-
Named after the legendary Big Sur female pioneer and rancher, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park stands out even among the rest of the region’s attractions.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Surf pioneer and legend Dick Metz was the parade’s grand marshal.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which has won three consecutive elections to stay in power since 2016, is at the forefront of efforts to accelerate the severance of its nation’s Chinese connection.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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These topics have been at the forefront of school board meetings over the past few years.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His father was forged by years of revolutionary hardship—prison, persecution, life underground—before coming to power and reportedly amassing a war chest exceeding $100 billion, built in part from properties confiscated from religious minorities who fled persecution.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
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Bunn had previously used AI to search for new sources of oil underground, but pivoted to medical work after his wife had a series of miscarriages.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Theme parks are crammed with avant-garde architecture which can interfere with the GPS signals bouncing between drones during a show.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 Feb. 2026
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Case in point: this gala ensemble, which includes pieces from the avant-garde labels Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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