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
The vans are all electric, according to the company, which is one of the station’s sustainability features.
—
Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Ground forces fired less-lethal rounds at point-blank range and forced participants into unmarked vans without explanation.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Meanwhile, Rivian’s Normal plant has a capacity to build another 155,000 R2s annually, together with up to 60,000 R1s and delivery vans.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
Nowadays, the brand's socials are loaded with more photos of mountain bikes, ski goggles and foaming surf than camper vans or motorhomes.
—C.c. Weiss
may 05, New Atlas, 5 May 2026
White, who lives near 18th Street and used to drive company vans before retirement, said he was disappointed that the driver reportedly left the crash scene.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2026
At one point, a new pain clinic opened in Broward every 72 hours as out-of-state caravans of cars, trucks and vans loaded up with pills slated for street sales.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Neighbors reported seeing countless vans belonging to different locksmith companies coming and going, along with several expensive vehicles.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Last year, Rivian produced 42,284 vehicles — including trucks and delivery vans — at its Normal plant, the company’s sole manufacturing facility.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Ground forces fired less-lethal rounds at point-blank range and forced participants into unmarked vans without explanation.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Meanwhile, Rivian’s Normal plant has a capacity to build another 155,000 R2s annually, together with up to 60,000 R1s and delivery vans.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
Nowadays, the brand's socials are loaded with more photos of mountain bikes, ski goggles and foaming surf than camper vans or motorhomes.
—C.c. Weiss
may 05, New Atlas, 5 May 2026
White, who lives near 18th Street and used to drive company vans before retirement, said he was disappointed that the driver reportedly left the crash scene.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2026
At one point, a new pain clinic opened in Broward every 72 hours as out-of-state caravans of cars, trucks and vans loaded up with pills slated for street sales.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Neighbors reported seeing countless vans belonging to different locksmith companies coming and going, along with several expensive vehicles.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Last year, Rivian produced 42,284 vehicles — including trucks and delivery vans — at its Normal plant, the company’s sole manufacturing facility.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 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 creative industries are on the front lines, with authors, artists, and musicians filing dozens of lawsuits against major AI companies for copyright infringement.—
Alice Xiang,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
Knoxville’s top forensic doctor is on the front lines, pressing to quickly identify the most lethal.—
Carl Hulse Adriana Loureiro Fernandez Brett Carlsen Fatima AbdulKarim,
New York Times,
6 May 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
-
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
-
Placing cutting edges along the handle might seem like a risky design choice.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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