as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in experimental
made or done as an experiment
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
piloted the figure skater through the national championships
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the lead rider piloted the rest of the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 pilot
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Once dry, use a 1/8-inch-diameter drill bit to create pilot holes in the center of each dowel.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 July 2024
The pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel was released in 2019 on YouTube, but the first season premiered on Jan. 18 on Amazon Prime.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024
John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Gather more data, seek diverse perspectives, or pilot a prototype.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
The Founding Partners of the Displacement Film Fund’s pilot scheme are Master Mind, Uniqlo, Droom en Daad, the Tamer Family Foundation and Amahoro Coalition whose generous contributions enabled the scheme.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Once dry, use a 1/8-inch-diameter drill bit to create pilot holes in the center of each dowel.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
Adjective
Tom Chitty Like a pilot episode of a TV series to see what the reaction is.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 July 2024
The pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel was released in 2019 on YouTube, but the first season premiered on Jan. 18 on Amazon Prime.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024
Verb
Similar systems are being piloted nearby in Framingham, Mass., and — dependent on federal funding — at New Haven’s Union Station.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Gather more data, seek diverse perspectives, or pilot a prototype.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2025
-
In the 1920s, aviators captivated the public with stunts that, though dangerous and probably considered unnecessary to most, laid the groundwork for modern aviation.—
Jasmine Leflore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
If so, Ian could qualify for a new experimental trial.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
-
An integrative medicine doctor put me on a lot of experimental treatments for Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacteria, despite not showing any symptoms for the condition aside from my swollen knee.—
Suzy Katz,
Health,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
The Coast Guard has been guiding the ship's crew on repairs and how to move it safely, while all commercial water traffic in the area is suspended.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
-
Ross will mastermind the game, pairing up the couples and guiding them on paths to reconciliation.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
In May 2023, the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, co-signed an open letter describing the technology as a potential extinction risk—a narrative that has arguably helped OpenAI center itself and steer regulatory conversations.—
Karen Hao,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
Staying grounded in their business mission helps foster a sense of resiliency and will steer their business through uncertain times.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
In my experience, connecting with other Black patients made all the difference in navigating my eczema.—
Raelle Kennedy,
Health,
12 May 2025
-
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Therapy dogs have also been shown to ease anxiety in hospital patients, children with developmental conditions like ADHD and autism, and individuals coping with trauma or chronic illness.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
-
Here’s another guy that’s a young, developmental corner.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
This is Kelly’s first time coaching in the NFL since he was fired as the San Francisco 49ers’ coach in 2016.—
Tashan Reed,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
With El Camino Real’s boys team winning the City Section Open Division championship on Saturday after an upset over No. 1-seeded Venice, Lee has won City titles coaching El Camino Real’s boys, girls and beach volleyball teams, the Triple Crown of volleyball coaching.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Phillip’s photo is not one of those shown as evidence.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
20 May 2025
-
Someone whose results show elevated levels may need a biopsy to rule out cancer.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share