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

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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 The policy does say the tactic should not be used on trucks carrying hazardous materials, pickup trucks with passengers in the bed of the truck, vans or buses occupied with passengers who appear to be victims or motorcycles. — Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026 For its part, Wellhouse is importing older second- and third-generation vans, which were produced between 2010 and 2020. — New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026 Zum leases bus yards, buys buses and small student shuttle vans, and connects them (via a tablet and GPS) to an app that allows parents and teachers alike to track the vehicles on their routes. — Sarah Whitmire, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Upon arrival at the airport in Ankara, the press pool vans were far back in the president’s motorcade, which is not unusual. — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Most camper vans have a small bed in the back, usually a convertible sofa or platform bed, and some have pop-tops for extra sleeping space for kids. — Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2026 The Fathom is the first product built on what Ford calls the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, which will be the basic architecture for producing multiple upcoming electric cars, from compacts to vans, Bergg said. — Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 There will also be nearly two dozen Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans deployed to help people in need get medical assistance, meals and more. — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 So what about taller vehicles like semi-trucks, SUVs, and vans? — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 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

In their 2013 biography Salinger, David Shields and Shane Salerno posit that Catcher was deeply informed by Salinger’s experience on the front lines.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
My concern was staying on the front lines and preventing any more damage.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 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