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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Modern cars, trucks, SUVs and vans can last for 150,000 miles to 300,000 miles depending on the make and model. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Reservations cost €40 (about $45) for cars, €26 (about $30) for motorcycles and €60 (about $68) for camper vans. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 In fact, unlike with the Gen 2, instances of dog-walkers and delivery vans triggering alerts have dropped to nearly zero. — Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 In recent years, farmers began using passenger vans with seats and seat belts for 10 or 12 workers, said Dean Okimoto, chief of operations for Nalo Farms. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Unfortunately, many of the best 4x4 camper vans will require you to squeeze those aching limbs into an undersized bed at night. — New Atlas, 21 July 2026 Feng remains slightly more optimistic for new energy vehicles (NEVs) such as electric and hybrid cars and vans, seeing NEV sales declining 5% to 6% year-on-year. — Matthew Tan,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 July 2026 With fewer international visitors to cater to, the atmosphere is easygoing and laid-back; no black transfer vans or aspiring DJs here. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 17 July 2026 To diagnose those sticky tasks and peddle its tools, Snap-on relies on thousands of franchisees, who make weekly visits to nearly a million neighborhood mechanics in custom company vans. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 17 July 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

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

The attacks have concentrated on gas stations close to the front lines – and within easier reach of Russia’s attack drones.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
On the front lines of risk Kevin McNease spent some of his best years as a young rescue swimmer flying around the world in his grey Navy helicopter.

— WUFT News, Miami Herald, 29 July 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