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

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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

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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 All five men who were arrested after authorities said they were caught approaching the base in three vans shortly after midnight Sunday have been released on bail but remain under investigation. — Greg Miller, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Earlier, army bomb-disposal experts used a robot to examine the vans. — Sylvia Hui, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026 The men – identified only as British nationals between the ages of 23 and 25 and from London area – were quickly released on bail with police confirming no explosives were found in three vans at the scene. — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026 Investigators found gasoline but no explosives in three vans and are examining possible links to Iran, Russia or militant groups. — Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The effort started with customers, Truby said, a byproduct of Ford’s major business selling commercial trucks and vans, and supporting blue-collar entrepreneurs through its Pro business. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 Since the Ford Transit Custom now shares its platform with the new Volkswagen Transporter, Schmiede will also be offering the high roof for Volkswagen vans and campers. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026 They were later carried away on stretchers to pathology vans. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Diesel is the fuel most likely to be used by commercial trucks and is also used by some SUVs, pickups and vans. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Sep. 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

So a [typical] CEO will spend 30% of their time with their top management team, and less than 5% of the time with the front lines.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
This team is on the front lines when scandals arise, stepping in to manage the messaging, for example by crafting OpenAI’s official response in blog posts and statements.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 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

Definition of leading edges

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“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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