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
As of last year in California, nearly one in four new trucks, buses and vans were zero-emission.
—
Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Smaller delivery vehicles, including cars, vans and bikes are exempt, the mayor's office said.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Neither leads to a particularly graceful entrance or exit, a bit of a concern given the hopes of these vans showing up on the red carpet.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
The one about the Rivian vans that Amazon uses that have been wired to turn off the air conditioner after between like 10 minutes or 30 seconds, depending if the driver is out of the seat.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome, and parking includes a space for accessible vehicles/vans, ramp access for wheelchairs, and an unobstructed path to the lobby entrance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
The Nightlight program is new in Hartford this spring and through it, congregation members collect items for the homeless months ahead of time and then pack up vans and distribute these items to those in need.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Blue skies extended to the horizon, and a small colony of tents, camper vans and motorhomes sprawled out across the lush alfalfa fields.
—CNN Money, 14 June 2026
And in the blink of an eye, vans and SUVs full of FBI agents and members of the California National Guard’s Weapons of Mass Destruction support team arrived and cordoned off the property.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Smaller delivery vehicles, including cars, vans and bikes are exempt, the mayor's office said.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Neither leads to a particularly graceful entrance or exit, a bit of a concern given the hopes of these vans showing up on the red carpet.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
The one about the Rivian vans that Amazon uses that have been wired to turn off the air conditioner after between like 10 minutes or 30 seconds, depending if the driver is out of the seat.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome, and parking includes a space for accessible vehicles/vans, ramp access for wheelchairs, and an unobstructed path to the lobby entrance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
The Nightlight program is new in Hartford this spring and through it, congregation members collect items for the homeless months ahead of time and then pack up vans and distribute these items to those in need.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Blue skies extended to the horizon, and a small colony of tents, camper vans and motorhomes sprawled out across the lush alfalfa fields.
—CNN Money, 14 June 2026
And in the blink of an eye, vans and SUVs full of FBI agents and members of the California National Guard’s Weapons of Mass Destruction support team arrived and cordoned off the property.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 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
-
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
Noun
-
During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Crowe-Allbritton was also on the front lines of efforts encouraging students to speak out against racial injustice, according to his obituary.—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
-
Ukraine’s ability to strike military production facilities, fuel depots, ammunition storage sites and critical infrastructure hundreds of miles from the front lines has demonstrated a remarkable evolution in its strategic capabilities.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 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
-
But over time, the cutting edges on a drill bit will wear down, causing materials start to splinter, leading to chipped wood or damaged walls.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
5 June 2026
-
Surprisingly, it was found that stingers use a distinct layering of zinc at the tip, followed by manganese, while pincers are reinforced with zinc and iron specifically along their cutting edges.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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