as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
he single-handedly pioneered the university's institute for medical research
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 pioneer
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2025
That same spirit is alive today at the Plains Conservation Center, where Arapahoe County Master Gardener volunteers use the same planting methods and heirloom plants of early pioneers.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Lindsay A. Fleming, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
By the early 1870s, brewers like Schneider Weisse— still making wheat beers today — pioneered the first modern hefeweizens.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
While speaking to Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 in a clip posted Monday (Aug. 18), the TikToker gushed about her experience opening for the alt-pop pioneer at Wembley Stadium in early July.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2025
That same spirit is alive today at the Plains Conservation Center, where Arapahoe County Master Gardener volunteers use the same planting methods and heirloom plants of early pioneers.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Beatles may have pioneered the stadium format, but their setup was quaint by today’s standards.
—Lindsay A. Fleming, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
By the early 1870s, brewers like Schneider Weisse— still making wheat beers today — pioneered the first modern hefeweizens.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
-
On Saturday, the DuSable Heritage Association, government officials and other community members gathered in Pioneer Court to commemorate DuSable, Chicago’s first non-indigenous permanent settler.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The doctor’s philosophical work has spread through letters and newspapers across Europe, attracting settlers like Heinz Wittmer, a veteran of the Great War played by Daniel Brühl, and his much younger second wife Margaret, played by Sydney Sweeney.—
Itzel Luna,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod fumbled after catching a pass on the Broncos’ first drive.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Wisconsin isn't the first state where Vance has touted the bill in recent weeks, with visits to Georgia, Pennsylvania and Ohio preceding the Aug. 28 stop.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The foundation was established in 1983 by then-State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Theresa's path to establishing Modern Legal is both intimate and compelling.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Salt Cay’s biggest industry (salt production) began in the late 1600s, when British colonists from Bermuda developed the salinas (salt ponds) and the infrastructure.—
Peter Kelly,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Australia’s feral rabbits are descendants of rabbits that newly arriving European colonists brought with them to supply meat and fur.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
While these tools are typically applied for the initial candidate screening, these systems can filter out even highly-qualified candidates if their profiles don’t meet the AI system’s particular criteria.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Here's our top story this morning: Developments can take years to go from initial conceptualization to vertical reality.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Chef Joseph Rawlins, who founded and runs La Popote with his French partner Gaëlle Radigon, said they had initially been approached about the idea by Doran Binder, who was already supplying the restaurant with their ‘house’ water under his Crag Spring Water brand.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Tegna also owns Locked On Podcast Network, which was founded by Utah Jazz radio play-by-play announcer David Locke.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Danny Ertel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The school initiated Title IX proceedings against the boys for privately expressing discomfort with her presence in their locker room.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Aug. 2025
-
As a result, advisors should proactively initiate conversations around charitable goals.—
Adam Malamed,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share