van

1
as in vanguard
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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in forefront
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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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 van Those brought in as low-level members— such as van or boat drivers —are often financially desperate. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2025 The motorist collided with a van, which was driven by a man in his 20s, according to CHP. Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 16 Feb. 2025 In the spot, which debuts Thursday, Hader and Wiig meet up for a romantic moment on Malibu Beach, with their strong SoCal accents intact, only to be interrupted by Armisen pulling up in a van. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025 While Farley shouted about his van by the river, Hartman wore khakis and kept his cool as the grown-up in the room. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
  • After gaining momentum during the 2012 teachers strike and emerging as the progressive vanguard of the city, the labor organization primed Johnson to eventually win the mayor’s seat after decades of being shut out of City Hall’s fifth floor.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that aimed at bringing the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof in new spaces worldwide.
    Sofia Celeste, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But sources emphasized that the federation’s role in the presentation was largely driven by its efforts to support the financially struggling coaches’ group, which has been at the forefront of previous efforts advocating for the two-semester model.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • To Make Material Circular Material science is at the forefront of the transition to a circular economy.
    Han Hendriks, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Formed in 1966 in Canterbury, Kent, Soft Machine made a name for themselves on the London underground circuit playing a jazzy take on psychedelic prog-rock that eventually earned them slots opening for Pink Floyd and, in the U.S., Jimi Hendrix.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The toolkit was first put up for sale on a Russian criminal underground forum for $2,500 in Oct. 2024.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer.
    William Arruda, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In the mid-1960s Ralph opened Lucinda Byre, a boutique selling clothes from multiple brands, including miniskirt pioneer Mary Quant, in the center of Liverpool that later expanded across the North of England.
    Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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