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
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 avant-garde
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2026
Part of it was because Williams designed what his clients wanted rather than adhering to a strict aesthetic code, so he wasn’t considered an avant-garde architect.
—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
All of these have a basis in her life, which also included the role of devoted wife and muse to the muralist Diego Rivera, and the part of avant-garde painter creatively mixing Mexican folk art with Surrealism.
—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
The avant-garde legend is seen sitting in a kitchen alongside Martin Scorsese and Marc Jacobs — each one representing a component of music, fashion, and film.
—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2026
Part of it was because Williams designed what his clients wanted rather than adhering to a strict aesthetic code, so he wasn’t considered an avant-garde architect.
—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
Noun
The more voguish looks accessorized the A-list and artist attendees clad in avant-garde garments, adding texture on top.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
All of these have a basis in her life, which also included the role of devoted wife and muse to the muralist Diego Rivera, and the part of avant-garde painter creatively mixing Mexican folk art with Surrealism.
—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.
-
But its original progressive elements have not only lasted, but become the law of the entire land — from sea to shining sea.
Noun
-
Columbia waded into the rock vanguard after Davis attended the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967 at the behest of its organizer Lou Adler, whose Ode Records was distributed by CBS.
-
Linklater was a vanguard of the indie film movement of the 1990s.
Adjective
-
Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.
-
Against this backdrop, investor confidence in JCET has surged, with the company’s shares listed in Shanghai climbing 147 percent since the start of the year, driven by strong business growth and rising demand for advanced chip technologies.
Noun
-
For the past half-decade, evilgiane and his Surf Gang collective have had their hands all over the quirkiest and most effervescent sounds of rap’s underground and mainstream.
-
Taking the dance sensation out of New York's gay underground and on the road, the singer vogued her way around the world on her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour, which kicked off in Japan that April.
Adjective
-
Your unconventional ideas land better when people can experience them instead of only hearing about them.
-
While seemingly an unconventional choice, Sandler, Swift and Kelce have been in each other's orbit for several years.
Adjective
-
From the earliest pioneering expeditions and nighttime escapes from bondage to the modern-day road trip, Americans are a people on the move – restless, ambitious and innovative.
-
This new adaptation promises to bring the pioneering adventures of the Ingalls family to a new generation, and has already been renewed for a second season.
Adjective
-
The powerhouse Ukrainian avant-folk band DakhaBrakha performs July 23, and bass maestro and film composer Stanley Clarke brings his jazz fusion band 4Ever (inspired by his tenure in Chick Corea’s Return to Forever) July 25t.
-
Despite her lofty ambitions, the avant-pop singer is at her most compelling when grounded in the earthly pleasures of four-to-the-floor beats and straightforward, theatrical hooks.
Adjective
-
In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.
-
The asymmetrical silhouette is also fresh and modern, and Quince's supple Italian nappa leather looks far more expensive than its price.
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
