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
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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
Yes, Barcelona comes across normally as a cool place, a vanguard city which everybody wants to visit.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Teyana Taylor is taking her fashion vanguard reputation to new heights in the desert.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
In the 1950s, the Eisenhower administration decided that the transportation vanguard was off the tracks, creating — and, critically, continuously funding — the interstate highway system, fueling the world's proudest car culture.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
As the old vanguard of civil rights leaders pass, who will fill the void?
—Brittany Luse, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Teyana Taylor is taking her fashion vanguard reputation to new heights in the desert.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
In the 1950s, the Eisenhower administration decided that the transportation vanguard was off the tracks, creating — and, critically, continuously funding — the interstate highway system, fueling the world's proudest car culture.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
As the old vanguard of civil rights leaders pass, who will fill the void?
—Brittany Luse, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard
Noun
-
He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
That’s often the case — the pioneer may get the credit, but the first follower gets the glory.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
With decades of experience in healthcare entrepreneurship and policy advocacy, Jacobs has been at the forefront of transforming healthcare through mindful practices and collaborative efforts.—
Gary Jacobs,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
One of the real forefronts in the field right now is figuring out how to solve the delivery problem for all these other tissue types.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Dozens of young girls unexpectedly emerged from a drain in the patio of a Rockland County restaurant Wednesday after taking an unauthorized trek underground.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Visitors help the staff dig and build a traditional imu underground with volcanic rocks, banana stumps, ti leaves and burlap sacks, and then fill the pit with mea ʻai staples like kālua pork, chicken, taro, yams and breadfruit.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
James Blood Ulmer, the innovative guitarist who fused avant-garde jazz with funk and the blues, died on June 3, according to a statement his family published via DownBeat.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2026
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James Blood Ulmer, the avant-garde jazz, funk, and blues guitarist, died on June 3 at the age of 86, reports NPR.—
Alex Suskind,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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