1
as in pioneers
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 forefronts
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 vanguards
Pants-optional dressing was arguably the biggest fashion trend of 2025, with celebrity style vanguards like Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Sydney Sweeney opting to leave their pants at home in favor of cheeky outfits—and Eva Longoria is getting on the pantsless bandwagon.
—
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
That may have been a heavy expectation, but she’s clearly evolved into one of its vanguards.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2025
The San Francisco 49ers, vanguards of the outside zone run game, cannot run the ball.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
That may have been a heavy expectation, but she’s clearly evolved into one of its vanguards.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2025
The San Francisco 49ers, vanguards of the outside zone run game, cannot run the ball.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguards
pioneers
Noun
-
Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
As the industry grew, pioneers like Henry Ford increased production through new machinery and business management practices, such as the assembly line and vertical integration.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vanguards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguards. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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