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
Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Her work is the apex of the avant-garde made accessible, high-minded and emotionally charged without being alienating.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Reed faced deserved backlash for cruel personal attacks, including fat-shaming comments about actress Melissa McCarthy, reflecting his intolerance for unconventional or avant-garde work.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
The avant-garde exoticism of Spark’s dress was typical of Schiaparelli’s work.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Her work is the apex of the avant-garde made accessible, high-minded and emotionally charged without being alienating.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026
Noun
Celebrity is a premium big-ship cruise brand, focusing on exquisite dining, cutting-edge amenities, Instagram-worthy public spaces chock full of bespoke art pieces, and avant-garde onboard entertainment.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Reed faced deserved backlash for cruel personal attacks, including fat-shaming comments about actress Melissa McCarthy, reflecting his intolerance for unconventional or avant-garde work.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
Like some progressive consensus at the center, but that's not there.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
But California pushes its progressive tax system to the extreme.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Now entering its third year, Athlos is among a new vanguard of professional track and field events aimed at modernizing the sport for the streaming era and growing its audience in non-Olympic years.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
20 May 2026
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Hekt’s debut album heralds a union between the left-field pop scene of his native Copenhagen and the influential Glasgow label Numbers, whose formidable run of 2010s releases—including several landmark SOPHIE singles—has left a neon imprint on the new Danish vanguard.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Berry singled and advanced to third on an error by Humphreys.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
-
Nothing against art, but much better than advanced placement calculus.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Zayd Ayers Dohrn spent much of his childhood underground and on the run.—
Terry Gross,
NPR,
18 May 2026
-
Though many people come to far West Texas for its isolation—the Unabomber’s slightly less reclusive brother did a stint here in the eighties, living at first in a crude underground shelter—Miller said that immigration-enforcement agents have been an intrusive presence for many years.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not wanting to formally plan anything for his proposal, Foley decided to take an unconventional route.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
While some of the fall 2026 shoes were wardrobe classics, like a pair of black penny loafers and Lively’s pointed-toe pumps, others styles were more unconventional featuring striking shape, feather details, animal prints and more.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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John Barbour, whose role in creating, producing and co-hosting the 1979-1984 NBC series Real People is recognized as a pioneering effort in the popularity of reality TV, died from natural causes on Sunday, May 10, at his home in Las Vegas.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
Jimmy was modeled after experimental artists like Ron Vawter, of The Wooster Group, and Frank Maya, a pioneering gay comedian — men who died young but fought to create until their last breath.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The Italian experimentalist goes absolutely haywire on a very overwhelming, very fun half-hour of ecstatic avant metal.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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Cabin in the Sky, for its part, evokes artistry beyond the genre, like Stereolab’s Margarine Eclipse, where the Chicago avant-pop band struggled to process the loss of longtime member Mary Hansen.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
25 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Inspired by the design of classic tuxedo shirts, this modern twist has a cropped fit, pintucked front details, and button cuffs.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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