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
And London’s roads aren’t just used by cars, vans and trucks.
—
Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Some were used for daily commutes and left in garages as families fled; others were trucks and vans packed with landscaping gear or tools.
—Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
As in many small camper vans, the side kitchen extends back into a full height cabinet at the rear of the van.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
Luther and Rebecca would call 15-passenger vans to shuttle the family to and from the airport on trips, and search for ample bedroom square-footage whenever purchasing a new home.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Most efforts focus on lightweight, short-range deliveries such as food, groceries and medicine, though questions remain about noise, cost and whether drones can compete economically with vans at scale.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The district said both vans were under contract and had the van company’s name on them.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Ben Macias, chief executive officer of Coordinated Fleet Services, a company that provides non-emergency medical transportation, including the vans that transport San Ysidro’s PACE patients, said that his family has deep roots in National City.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To ease wait times, the county recently added seven vans to its fleet, bringing the total to 42.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Some were used for daily commutes and left in garages as families fled; others were trucks and vans packed with landscaping gear or tools.
—Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
As in many small camper vans, the side kitchen extends back into a full height cabinet at the rear of the van.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
Luther and Rebecca would call 15-passenger vans to shuttle the family to and from the airport on trips, and search for ample bedroom square-footage whenever purchasing a new home.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
Most efforts focus on lightweight, short-range deliveries such as food, groceries and medicine, though questions remain about noise, cost and whether drones can compete economically with vans at scale.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The district said both vans were under contract and had the van company’s name on them.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Ben Macias, chief executive officer of Coordinated Fleet Services, a company that provides non-emergency medical transportation, including the vans that transport San Ysidro’s PACE patients, said that his family has deep roots in National City.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To ease wait times, the county recently added seven vans to its fleet, bringing the total to 42.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans
Noun
-
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
-
That may have been a heavy expectation, but she’s clearly evolved into one of its vanguards.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly four years later, Russian forces continue to grind along the front lines achieving incremental territorial gains at an extremely high cost, while Ukraine has managed to retake vast areas that Moscow initially invaded.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Based in San Francisco, Calamia is on the front lines, advocating for non-binary divisions within major marathons across the United States.—
Jayden Gonzalez,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 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 2 Feb. 2026.
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