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
Relevance
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
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
By the entry, vans with tinted windows pulled in to deliver more detainees.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The security footage from the ICE facility on Stemmons Freeway, obtained by KDFW-TV, shows two white vans in the building’s sallyport.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
The video shows agents ducking for cover in front of two white vans while quickly shuffling detainees inside the facility, where an ICE agent frantically guided the detainees down a hallway.
—Peter D'abrosca , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The surveillance video shows officers and detainees ducking for cover near two vans in the facility's sallyport.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
The driver ultimately came to a stop at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Franklin Street in Buena Park, with various law enforcement vehicles, including some undercover vans, boxing the truck in place.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Expect to pay between $200 to $500 for a car and the price will be a bit more for trucks, vans and SUVs.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Vehicle owners can expect to pay between $200 to $500 for a car or higher for trucks, vans and SUVs.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
As well as that, spectators can see first-hand the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team's pit garage, vans, racing suits and more, and experience racing simulators.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The security footage from the ICE facility on Stemmons Freeway, obtained by KDFW-TV, shows two white vans in the building’s sallyport.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
The video shows agents ducking for cover in front of two white vans while quickly shuffling detainees inside the facility, where an ICE agent frantically guided the detainees down a hallway.
—Peter D'abrosca , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The surveillance video shows officers and detainees ducking for cover near two vans in the facility's sallyport.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
The driver ultimately came to a stop at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Franklin Street in Buena Park, with various law enforcement vehicles, including some undercover vans, boxing the truck in place.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Expect to pay between $200 to $500 for a car and the price will be a bit more for trucks, vans and SUVs.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Vehicle owners can expect to pay between $200 to $500 for a car or higher for trucks, vans and SUVs.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
As well as that, spectators can see first-hand the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team's pit garage, vans, racing suits and more, and experience racing simulators.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans
Noun
-
He’s so far collaborated with acts like Ecco2k and Xaviersobased, themselves vanguards of the underground-rap scene.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces also use these shorter-range weapons to attack in populated areas just behind the front lines.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The front lines of this information war are on social media.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share