1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of vans
Many of Vanlab's kits go beyond the cookie-cutter expandable tailgate kitchen box/bed blueprint, carving out interior convertible lounge areas within even the smallest vans.
—
New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Eligible vehicles include cars, minivans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks and motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
One site, near South San Joaquin Road about 14 miles west of the city, is populated with people living out of cars, vans and old RVs.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Plano explores on-demand transit as backup plan The Plano City Council is considering adding Via Rideshare, an on-demand transit service that would use buses and passenger vans to move riders within the city.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Swarms of cars and vans come and go from both sides; idling buses advertise destinations as far-flung as Lima or Santiago or Mendoza.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Police vans behind a temporary metal fence secured the road to the athletes’ village, but the protest veered away, continuing on a trajectory toward the Santagiulia venue.
—Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But when night fell, the demonstration turned violent as some protesters targeted police and their vans, and officials responded with tear gas and water cannons.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Officers then moved in on the nurses who did not give way, zip-tied their hands and led them to waiting police vans.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Eligible vehicles include cars, minivans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks and motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
One site, near South San Joaquin Road about 14 miles west of the city, is populated with people living out of cars, vans and old RVs.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Plano explores on-demand transit as backup plan The Plano City Council is considering adding Via Rideshare, an on-demand transit service that would use buses and passenger vans to move riders within the city.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Swarms of cars and vans come and go from both sides; idling buses advertise destinations as far-flung as Lima or Santiago or Mendoza.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Police vans behind a temporary metal fence secured the road to the athletes’ village, but the protest veered away, continuing on a trajectory toward the Santagiulia venue.
—Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But when night fell, the demonstration turned violent as some protesters targeted police and their vans, and officials responded with tear gas and water cannons.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Officers then moved in on the nurses who did not give way, zip-tied their hands and led them to waiting police vans.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The goal is not to replace soldiers on the front lines, but to eliminate the burdens, risks, and drudgery of military upkeep.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
His incorrect assertion that NATO allies had not served on Afghanistan's front lines, later walked back, reinforced a broader perception that times and realities had shifted.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
So it was decreed that the cutting edges of knives should be turned towards their owners, thus symbolizing their peaceful intent.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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