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

Relevance

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 All of it is then boxed and loaded into vans for distribution to food banks, pantries and to those in need. — Mary Calvi, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026 The vans were fitted with sham branding for a fuel delivery firm as well as a pool supply company. — Willem Marx, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026 The incident came to light after five men were detained shortly after midnight on September 27, following reports of three suspicious vans traveling toward the base. — Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026 That includes up to 155,000 R2s alongside R1 models and electric vans. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026 The bombers were redeployed just days after police arrested five masked men who were caught with three white vans 250 yards from the airbase’s fence. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Nov. 2026 Deputies are told not to conduct a PIT maneuver on SUVs, vans or pickups. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 Of those vehicles, 2,075 were trucks, and the rest were buses and delivery vans. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 Prosecutor Louise Gray said Ali instructed a group of men to drive three vans to RAF Fairford, park the vehicles and walk away. — Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans

Noun

The great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
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

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

Transgender rights protesters took their battle to the front lines at the opening of a Harry Potter Shop in London.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026
With instant messaging yet to be invented, 11 am—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—was chosen to be the time when hostilities would officially cease in order to allow news of the armistice to reach the front lines.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 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