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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
The round was led by Peter Thiel, the Palantir co-founder, and the company says the money will help complete a pilot manufacturing facility near Portland, Oregon.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
In 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525, an Airbus A320, crashed in the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board; investigators said the jetliner was deliberately downed by the 27-year-old co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 May 2026
This befuddling trend, among others, was discovered through digital hall passes piloted at the school in partnership with Raptor Technologies’ Smart Pass system, a technology that’s grown increasingly popular at area schools, said Carr.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
The pilot of a Southwest flight from Phoenix to John Wayne Airport initiated a go-around after telling the tower that the pilot of a smaller airplane flew close to the commercial jet on Wednesday evening, May 13, according to air traffic communications.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
The round was led by Peter Thiel, the Palantir co-founder, and the company says the money will help complete a pilot manufacturing facility near Portland, Oregon.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
The plane’s nose was sheared off from the impact, leaving the pilot and co-pilot dead.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
In 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525, an Airbus A320, crashed in the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board; investigators said the jetliner was deliberately downed by the 27-year-old co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
While 80% of those surveyed who have piloted an AI or autonomous technology have reported workforce reductions, the businesses cut jobs due to automation regardless of whether the technology was actually generating returns.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 May 2026
This befuddling trend, among others, was discovered through digital hall passes piloted at the school in partnership with Raptor Technologies’ Smart Pass system, a technology that’s grown increasingly popular at area schools, said Carr.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
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Lopez accessorized the red dress with an equally red Chanel mini handbag, a large gold cuff bracelet, her now trademark aviator shades, and nude mule sandals.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
11 May 2026
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These blackouts occur when intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from solar flares ionize Earth's upper atmosphere, interfering with high-frequency radio signals used by aviators, mariners and amateur radio operators.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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As of December, Collins was getting experimental treatment in Singapore.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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Her cancer returned in late March, after showing no growth on the experimental daraxonrasib pill for 13 months.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Rodgers, 42, guided the Steelers to an AFC North title last year, throwing for 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Its document generation tools guide founders through complex legal processes step by step, reducing errors and ensuring completeness.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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In the 90th minute, Adrian Marin delivered a driving cross into the box, and Martín Ojeda got just enough of his head on the ball to steer it home, sealing the dramatic victory.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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Instead, the cabinet secretary taking the lead on steering the world’s most consequential bilateral ties has been Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who met his Chinese counterpart in Seoul ahead of the summit in Beijing.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Kate Martin made her Sparks debut as a developmental player with Atkins and Sania Feagin (lower left leg) unavailable and picked up one rebound in six minutes.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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Former coaches and players have repeatedly pointed to this system as a developmental weakness.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The bigger issue is that the NAACP is asking elite athletes to make college decisions based on state-level politics, not coaching staffs, playing time, development, NIL opportunity, facilities, education, relationships or NFL preparation.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Despite Caldwell’s departure, Canales said the longtime assistant coach was an important sounding board for him during his first two years at the top of coaching totem pole.—
Mike Kaye
May 19,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Verb
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At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Kelly, a four-year starter for South Lake, showed his ability to run the football and gained over 60 yards in the first game.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has advanced his threats to take enforcement action against the NFL over its Rooney Rule, issuing the league an investigative subpoena on Wednesday.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 May 2026
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The subpoena had demanded Social Security numbers, birth dates, and medical records for all patients who received gender-affirming care in five years—revealing the government’s expansive investigative scope.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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