as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in experimental
made or done as an experiment
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
piloted the figure skater through the national championships
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the lead rider piloted the rest of the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
The initiative, financed by the region of Lombardy, is a pilot project promoted by the manufacturing-rich provinces of Monza and Brianza.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
During the drone show performance, Sky Elements has a pilot and co-pilot monitoring a computer to make sure everything is running smoothly.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
What the recruits weren’t told was that piloting the machines over time would severely damage their appendage motor function responses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
Variety exclusively reported that the pilot was in the works back in May.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
The initiative, financed by the region of Lombardy, is a pilot project promoted by the manufacturing-rich provinces of Monza and Brianza.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Pilots Under Pressure Such instances of pilot murder-suicide, though rare, have happened before.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
During the drone show performance, Sky Elements has a pilot and co-pilot monitoring a computer to make sure everything is running smoothly.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Verb
The hospital chief digital officer who piloted an AI chatbot and now gets hugs from clinicians in the hallway.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
What the recruits weren’t told was that piloting the machines over time would severely damage their appendage motor function responses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
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These moments aren’t staged—they’re glimpses into the culture of young aviators living life on the edge of discipline and rebellion.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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So the personalities are different but the core motivations and attributes are there for all naval aviators.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The experiment provided important experimental data and technical support through long-term operation tests and physical research.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
-
These new additions transform staking from an experimental concept to a real-world product of regulated finance.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The museum guides visitors through Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Islamic, and other global belief systems before culminating in the Buddhist 10 Courts of Hell.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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This discovery not only changes our understanding of lunar geology but could also guide future missions to regions where the moon’s surface is still active.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Other patrons saw us with cell phones — an immense luxury at the time — and steered clear of us.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Putting structures in place keeps emotions from steering decisions off course.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His comments heaped political and financial pressure on media companies navigating a febrile and toxic atmosphere in the aftermath of Kirk's assassination.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
To navigate this uncharted terrain, leaders can benefit from having a blueprint for carving out the best approach for their organization.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Rinzel has already been hit up by some of the other prospects for his perspective on rookie camp, on the climb to the NHL and the developmental process, on how to play with aggression and the confidence to make plays rather than with hesitation and the fear of making mistakes.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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The redshirt sophomore is part of a position group that is growing in depth and has experience with USC’s developmental process.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike last week, Moore won’t be able to coach the team in practice.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As has become tradition, the ads will reference trends and conversations in college football like the coaching hot seat, flag planting and quarterbacks sliding in the draft.—
Kristi Dosh,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
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That may explain why taking HRT in the years right around menopause—and in turn, avoiding the steep estrogen dropoff of this phase—was shown to lower dementia risk.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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