1
as in pioneer
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
a style of jazz that the vanguard quickly recognized as new and exciting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement
talk radio is often regarded as being in the vanguard of the conservative movement
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vanguard
China’s presumptive position at AI’s vanguard marks a seismic shift.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Newsom portrayed California as a dominant force in the global economy and vanguard of the technology and entertainment sectors during his final State of the State address on Thursday.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Hochman said the state’s DUI laws, considered among the nation’s vanguard four decades ago, have since lagged behind to become some of the nation's weakest.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
As in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Minneapolis has seen a layered civic uprising where a vanguard of protesters has gained strength as many others who don’t share progressive convictions joined in feeling, if not always in person.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Newsom portrayed California as a dominant force in the global economy and vanguard of the technology and entertainment sectors during his final State of the State address on Thursday.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Hochman said the state’s DUI laws, considered among the nation’s vanguard four decades ago, have since lagged behind to become some of the nation's weakest.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vanguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanguard
Noun
-
Long before federal regulations existed, the couple hosted the very first meeting to form the National Organic Standards Board right there at their ranch, gathering with other pioneers like the Lundberg family to create a unified standard.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Apollo's acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo's online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Idaho has been at the forefront of legislation that targets trans people in recent years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Companies such as Tesla, Rivian and Lucid Motors are at the forefront of building these kinds of connected vehicles outside of China.—
Robert Ferris,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His father was forged by years of revolutionary hardship—prison, persecution, life underground—before coming to power and reportedly amassing a war chest exceeding $100 billion, built in part from properties confiscated from religious minorities who fled persecution.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
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Bunn had previously used AI to search for new sources of oil underground, but pivoted to medical work after his wife had a series of miscarriages.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Lohja, almost 40 miles from the Finnish capital of Helsinki, a 365-square-foot sustainable tiny house stands as a matte black, avant-garde response to modern day climate and demographic challenges.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
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Neurosis — the long-running, avant-garde metal group — announced a reunion, of sorts, on Friday, following years of uncertainty.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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