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
Other kinds of teams across the country are connected to this constantly improving information system too, and not just in vans.
—
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Police said three to four young men targeted vans in the East Garfield Park, West Loop, Near West Side, Loop, and Bridgeport neighborhoods.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The Paragon is priced more in line with Sprinter adventure camper vans than other expedition trucks.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2026
Large-scale construction projects like this will likely require the off-Earth equivalent of 18-wheelers and sprinter vans — the type of spacecraft that Impulse Space is building and deploying now.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 June 2026
On the lawn of Jim Gilliam Park on Saturday, supporters from across the city chanted Pratt’s name, took selfies in front of black campaign vans with his hummingbird logo and ate cookies decorated with his face as kids raced around on scooters and played with the handful of dogs attending.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
On Monday evening, I was whooshed alongside hundreds of guests in dark vans, escorted by police, to the Vela di Calatrava sports complex on the outskirts of Rome.
—Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 29 May 2026
From the west, only taxis, rideshare vehicles and passenger vans will be allowed to approach Lot O.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Amazon's initial order encompassed 100,000 vans, and Rivian has also commenced commercial van sales to outside fleet operators.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Police said three to four young men targeted vans in the East Garfield Park, West Loop, Near West Side, Loop, and Bridgeport neighborhoods.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The Paragon is priced more in line with Sprinter adventure camper vans than other expedition trucks.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2026
Large-scale construction projects like this will likely require the off-Earth equivalent of 18-wheelers and sprinter vans — the type of spacecraft that Impulse Space is building and deploying now.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 June 2026
On the lawn of Jim Gilliam Park on Saturday, supporters from across the city chanted Pratt’s name, took selfies in front of black campaign vans with his hummingbird logo and ate cookies decorated with his face as kids raced around on scooters and played with the handful of dogs attending.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
On Monday evening, I was whooshed alongside hundreds of guests in dark vans, escorted by police, to the Vela di Calatrava sports complex on the outskirts of Rome.
—Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 29 May 2026
From the west, only taxis, rideshare vehicles and passenger vans will be allowed to approach Lot O.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Amazon's initial order encompassed 100,000 vans, and Rivian has also commenced commercial van sales to outside fleet operators.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 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
-
More than a decade before the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which outlawed racial discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing, the Myers family found themselves on the front lines of the fight for equal housing rights.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
But in the current climate of censorship and funding threats, museums have largely pulled back from the political front lines.—
Greg Allen,
ARTnews.com,
7 June 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
-
But over time, the cutting edges on a drill bit will wear down, causing materials start to splinter, leading to chipped wood or damaged walls.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
5 June 2026
-
Surprisingly, it was found that stingers use a distinct layering of zinc at the tip, followed by manganese, while pincers are reinforced with zinc and iron specifically along their cutting edges.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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