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
Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.
—
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
As their popularity took hold, vans filled with tourists began to arrive.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout the summer, Sprinter vans bearing families of ten or twelve pull up for a vacation where their kids can run around on industrial-scale playground equipment before celebrating Mass with hundreds of other people.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
In each incident, the thieves pulled up in a white Honda Civic, got out, and stole from the work vans, police said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike other camper vans, this one expands by way of what Vanspeed calls the ModuRide Cargo System.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The National Guard soldiers in desert camo piled out of unmarked vans in East Los Angeles last June, cordoning off East Sixth Street, a residential street lined with single family houses, and blocking a nearby road leading to an elementary school.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
No RVs, trailers, buses, or large passenger vans are allowed.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
On secondary roads like Kuwohi, buses, motorhomes, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
As their popularity took hold, vans filled with tourists began to arrive.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout the summer, Sprinter vans bearing families of ten or twelve pull up for a vacation where their kids can run around on industrial-scale playground equipment before celebrating Mass with hundreds of other people.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
In each incident, the thieves pulled up in a white Honda Civic, got out, and stole from the work vans, police said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike other camper vans, this one expands by way of what Vanspeed calls the ModuRide Cargo System.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The National Guard soldiers in desert camo piled out of unmarked vans in East Los Angeles last June, cordoning off East Sixth Street, a residential street lined with single family houses, and blocking a nearby road leading to an elementary school.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
No RVs, trailers, buses, or large passenger vans are allowed.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
On secondary roads like Kuwohi, buses, motorhomes, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 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 skies above the front lines in Ukraine have been swarming with drones for years now, posing a grave threat to infantry.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
If ‘The Pitt’ sprang from a desire to depict the heroism and empathy of healthcare workers on the front lines, the show has used the resulting goodwill to illustrate those qualities’ long-term toll.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
20 Apr. 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
-
Placing cutting edges along the handle might seem like a risky design choice.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Sharpen mower blades when the cutting edges begin to dull.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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