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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vans
Ben Macias, chief executive officer of Coordinated Fleet Services, a company that provides non-emergency medical transportation, including the vans that transport San Ysidro’s PACE patients, said that his family has deep roots in National City.
—
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To ease wait times, the county recently added seven vans to its fleet, bringing the total to 42.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
There are wheelchair accessible vans between Nassau and Paradise Island.
—Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Supervisors had not authorized them to wear riot gear, which was stashed in nearby vans, or carry munitions.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Grainy surveillance footage shows white vans pulling up to agaves during late-night and early-morning hours, beginning in 2022.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
From self-driving smart trailers with auto-dumping waste tanks to on- and off-road explorers that bulge out in every direction possible to maximize living space, some truly jaw-dropping and inspiring camper vans, travel trailers, large motorhomes and expedition trucks emerged in 2025.
—New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2026
With dozens of vans and buses in our fleet, ongoing maintenance is unavoidable.
—Alison Mathes, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
According to the coalition, between 2008 and 2016 the German automaker equipped more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans with software devices that optimized emission controls during tests but reduced the controls during normal operations.
—CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To ease wait times, the county recently added seven vans to its fleet, bringing the total to 42.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
There are wheelchair accessible vans between Nassau and Paradise Island.
—Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Supervisors had not authorized them to wear riot gear, which was stashed in nearby vans, or carry munitions.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Grainy surveillance footage shows white vans pulling up to agaves during late-night and early-morning hours, beginning in 2022.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
From self-driving smart trailers with auto-dumping waste tanks to on- and off-road explorers that bulge out in every direction possible to maximize living space, some truly jaw-dropping and inspiring camper vans, travel trailers, large motorhomes and expedition trucks emerged in 2025.
—New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2026
With dozens of vans and buses in our fleet, ongoing maintenance is unavoidable.
—Alison Mathes, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
According to the coalition, between 2008 and 2016 the German automaker equipped more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans with software devices that optimized emission controls during tests but reduced the controls during normal operations.
—CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans
Noun
-
The San Francisco 49ers, vanguards of the outside zone run game, cannot run the ball.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
As Frank experimented with different front lines, either due to injuries or lack of attacking chemistry, the 20-year-old remained on the fringes behind Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani and even Brennan Johnson, who was sold to Crystal Palace for £35million ($47m) on January 2.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Macron has also spoken of European forces potentially being deployed away from Ukraine’s front lines to help deter future Russian aggression.—
John Leicester,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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