as in progressive
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques
a very avant-garde artist whose works wouldn't even be considered art by many traditionalists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
to the theater world's avant-garde, the melodrama seemed like a very old-fashioned play whose time had come and gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avant-garde
Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
The avant-garde film follows a lesbian couple whose daughter disappears after eating contaminated fish, leading to a conspiracy involving environmental pollution and corporate corruption.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
Active in avant-garde music on the European music scene, Bertelmann frequently employs prepared piano and electronics.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
Noun
The exhibition therefore became a scene of tension between designers who embraced the radical avant-garde and those that, without renouncing modernity, maintained certain links with traditional styles.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
The avant-garde film follows a lesbian couple whose daughter disappears after eating contaminated fish, leading to a conspiracy involving environmental pollution and corporate corruption.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
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Five years after Floyd’s killing, police backers say public opinion has largely swung back in favor of aggressive law enforcement, pointing to voter decisions last year to pass tough-on-crime legislation and oust progressive prosecutors.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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What To Know In a post on X, formerly Twitter, progressive political action committee VoteVets criticized the Trump administration for the cutbacks, as well as the president's senior advisor and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Noun
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Once associated with pioneer women in long dresses, Latter-day Saints are increasingly represented by a new vanguard of social media influencers.—
Lauren Jackson,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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If EVs are any augury, America’s days at technology’s vanguard might be numbered.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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However, because no candidate received over 50% of the vote in that round, both advanced to Sunday’s runoff election.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 June 2025
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Even during the May OTA malaise, few drills draw the eye more than the athleticism and advanced drill work of the Bengals’ skill players.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
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And that song is just this crazy underground hit with all those guys.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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The film’s synopsis reads: Set in London’s iconic shadowy underground, the malevolent figure of Creep unleashes fresh terror on unsuspecting tube passengers and Londoners.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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This unconventional talent pool helped Tesla streamline operations and scale faster than legacy automakers expected.—
David Villa,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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With these bold stylistic choices by adapter John Hildreth and director Heather Currie, the play satirizes contemporary American society in an unconventional take on the science fiction classic.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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His tunes draw on a broad spectrum of Black American music, seamlessly encompassing blues, funk and R&B along with bebop and avant garde directions forged by Ornette Coleman (which are also steeped in the blues).—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2025
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The collection Olsen’s gown hails from was rife with avant, flowing takes on bows, whether at the shoulders of pastel dresses or at the hips of drop waist dresses or tailored jackets.—
Marissa Muller,
WWD,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His show recreates the joy of his journey, the sense of wonder, the three-decade progression in style and substance that made Wayne one of the greatest rappers of the modern era.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
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Art Nouveau Brass Mirror This brass mirror from the 1960s blends modern trends with antique materials.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The beloved slugger known as Big Papi built this contemporary estate, located in the Pinecrest area of Miami-Dade County, from scratch.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
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The film’s original soundtrack, including songs by contemporary Ukrainian musical artists such as Serhiy Zhadan, and an original score from composer Frederik van de Moortel, will be released on Spotify on Friday.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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