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
Relevance
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
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
That $15 fee also applies to passenger vans and buses with out-of-state plates that are operated by a commercial business.
—
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
She’s watched as ICE vans carrying detainees zipped through her political ward and down Minnesota 5 to the federal Whipple Building across the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The Reach vans are Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible and have two wheelchair slots.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Ortiz said Kavanagh's bill would criminalize people blowing whistles when ICE vans were in their neighborhood.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
By then, a caravan of black SUVs and Mercedes vans, full of Jackson’s family, had arrived.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Also eager for work was Mario Volcy, a 44-year-old tap tap driver who on a recent morning pointed out the vans and big buses circulating in the area for the first time since early 2024.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
All-wheel drive is optional for both camper vans.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026
The Beverly Hilton hotel is buzzing with catering vans, publicity staff and all that precedes an all-hands event on this scale.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
She’s watched as ICE vans carrying detainees zipped through her political ward and down Minnesota 5 to the federal Whipple Building across the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The Reach vans are Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible and have two wheelchair slots.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Ortiz said Kavanagh's bill would criminalize people blowing whistles when ICE vans were in their neighborhood.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
By then, a caravan of black SUVs and Mercedes vans, full of Jackson’s family, had arrived.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Also eager for work was Mario Volcy, a 44-year-old tap tap driver who on a recent morning pointed out the vans and big buses circulating in the area for the first time since early 2024.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
All-wheel drive is optional for both camper vans.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026
The Beverly Hilton hotel is buzzing with catering vans, publicity staff and all that precedes an all-hands event on this scale.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Feb. 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
-
And the front lines of the public relation war are a glamorous cadre of high profile influencers based there.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The families held up photographs of their sons who are either now on the front lines or have been killed, wounded or are missing in the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
