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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Eight inmates and two deputies were injured when the driver of their transport van dozed off and hit a utility pole, Georgia troopers say. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 Convoys of white pick-up trucks and black vans were seen driving to the area. Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 11 July 2025 She was spotted arriving at a store in the small town of Beacon, around 200 miles east of Perth, at around 12:10 p.m. local time that day in her van, and departed the area around five minutes later. Becca Longmire, People.com, 11 July 2025 The authorities added that, before being arrested, the owners put the lion in a van and attempted to flee to a neighboring district. Logan Holland, People.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
  • Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that brought the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
  • The multi-media vanguard is now channeling his creative vision into telling authentic stories of Black love through independent filmmaking.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • When inclusion, trust, and accessibility are at the forefront, these spaces offer a different kind of value.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • As in other countries, e-commerce platforms like Temu, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop have been at the forefront of this trend.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Others are hidden in some of the game's most out-of-the-way underground crevices and practically require the use of collectible in-game treasure maps to find.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
  • In making that case, the mayor has touted how some crime categories have trended downward under his leadership, including underground.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Dora Maar, Sabine Weiss and Lee Miller were early pioneers of photography affording these exceptional women independent careers.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 July 2025
  • This achievement serves as a clear testament to the hard work and dedication Choi has invested in becoming a pioneer in reducing health disparities and improving access to health services.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on van

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!