Definition of vanguardnext
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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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

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 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
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
  • 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
  • After conquering the internet underground, perhaps Yeat believes that stadium status is all that’s left.
    Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • That regime is also a huge self-learning machine, itself the avant-garde of neoliberal political economy, that seeks to neutralize and recuperate any intention of change almost immediately, turning it into predictable outcome and profit.
    Adam Szymczyk, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The kitchen runs a very cool rotating culinary collaboration with chefs from Rome’s most avant-garde eateries, alongside pop-up events and live music nights.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vanguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanguard. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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