VANS Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

vans

noun

plural of van

as in vanguards

the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in forefronts

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vans Advocates argue carts are silent, occupy less space than tourist vans and buses, and don’t choke the air with exhaust that also stains historic monuments. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 The company recently raised its delivery outlook for the year from as low as 62,000 vehicles to as many as 70,000 due to demand, and said Amazon now has 40,000 Rivian electric delivery vans. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 In New York City, for instance, pedestrians remain far more likely to be hurt or die in encounters with cars, trucks, or vans. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 After testing multiple new hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, cargo vans, family SUVs and more, here are my top 10 best new vehicles of 2026 so far based on my driving impressions, rankings and overall value propositions. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Between 2023 and 2025, the state spent close to $30 million on helicopter engines, cargo vans and trailers, all tied to immigration enforcement efforts. — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 Crew trucks and vans surrounded the aircraft on the tarmac, video captured by CNN affiliate WBBM showed. — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Matt's team has been working with global shipping giant DHL collecting data to understand how the company uses Ford's Transit commercial vans daily to ensure the van's rear cargo doors are durable. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Over the opening weekend of the Premier League season, versions of this conversation are ubiquitous across the country — in pubs, queues at burger vans, stadiums, online, at home. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans

Noun

The great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The once-insurgent vanguards who cast their first votes for Barack Obama have relinquished their cool factor to Gen Z, who will one day undergo the same process themselves as time continues its relentless march forward.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026

Definition of vanguards

Noun

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
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.

— Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of forefronts

Noun

Russia’s attempt to replicate SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network seems to be moving as slowly as the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Districts like Rasuwa have faced historically high poverty rates, and are on the front lines of the climate crisis, at risk of disasters like forest fires and landslides.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of front lines

Noun

The company will evaluate applications for nose cones, fins, leading edges, bulkheads, and other high-performance structures that require precision and durability.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025