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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And maybe that sentiment contributed to the election of Bill de Blasio, who did run explicitly on being the most progressive candidate in the crowded 2013 primary.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
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Having said that, there is scope to be more expansive with his varied passing range; around 8.5 per cent of Todibo’s passes last season were progressive — just 11 top-flight centre-backs look forward with their passes less often.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
7 June 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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Not until comparatively recently has medicine begun to catalogue the health concerns associated with a father’s advanced age, and there are a number of them, including somewhat higher incidences of autism and of diagnoses of schizophrenia later in life.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
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In some areas, this might work: Restricting the export of advanced U.S. semiconductor technology to China seems to have helped hold Beijing’s chip industry back.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
14 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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Some were fearful about the safety risks of the unique feature, while others were confused about the purpose behind the unconventional design.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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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Beneath this green canopy lies a modern transport facility equipped to handle high-speed rail and daily commuters, while above, the original 1907 station has been meticulously reconstructed as a cultural landmark.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
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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But how it’s developed now for contemporary artists is that a lot of them know us for this sort of production technique.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
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 17 Jun. 2025.
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