1
as in vanguards
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 forefronts
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
Examples 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 vans
Blue and white Toyota vans, which passed for a bus system, whizzed by, packed with passengers.
—
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The company inked fleet vehicle deals with NASA and the State of Oklahoma, and delivered small shipments of its vans to each.
—New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
This enabled the brand to fashion additional models by simply topping the platform with different cabins, like delivery vans and pickup trucks.
—New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
On top of that, we are constantly monitored by cameras inside our vans searching for the smallest infractions—even during our breaks.
—Rubie Mosqueda, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Now, would your reporter tell us why 14-year-olds are traveling in vans with 27-year-olds?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
While mainstays like Ford and Mercedes updated their long-running production camper vans, automakers like Kia and Toyota got more creative with forward-looking tiny camper concepts.
—New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Since launching five years ago, Hest has expanded out its lineup of rectangular Foamy mattresses to include variants for specific vehicle and dwelling types, such as camper vans and rooftop tents.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2024
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The company inked fleet vehicle deals with NASA and the State of Oklahoma, and delivered small shipments of its vans to each.
—New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
This enabled the brand to fashion additional models by simply topping the platform with different cabins, like delivery vans and pickup trucks.
—New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
On top of that, we are constantly monitored by cameras inside our vans searching for the smallest infractions—even during our breaks.
—Rubie Mosqueda, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Now, would your reporter tell us why 14-year-olds are traveling in vans with 27-year-olds?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
While mainstays like Ford and Mercedes updated their long-running production camper vans, automakers like Kia and Toyota got more creative with forward-looking tiny camper concepts.
—New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Since launching five years ago, Hest has expanded out its lineup of rectangular Foamy mattresses to include variants for specific vehicle and dwelling types, such as camper vans and rooftop tents.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near vans
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share