as in steering
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1
as in guiding
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 conducting
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
3
as in navigating
to operate or control the course of
managed to pilot the plane to safety despite the failure of the left engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piloting
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Give Charlotte credit for a forward-thinking move rather than auto-piloting into his next contract, but the short-term consequence is that there are no qualified starting centers here.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With Kinta piloting, and Momo’s psychic powers fused with Aira’s hair abilities, the group makes a desperate attempt to shift the battle in their favor.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Next comes some fancy piloting, the detachment of the thrusters, and then the scavenger ship is effectively so much deadweight in space, at least for now.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Given its long range and the high likelihood of operating in an environment compromised by electronic warfare system, the Liutyi is not designed for remote piloting.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2026
The biochar machine was one of three solutions the county is piloting.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
There are many games that offer similar FPV warfare experiences, including driving tanks, piloting fighter jets, and commanding submarines.
—Archie Clarke, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Several health systems are piloting the tools now, the company said.
—Brittany Trang, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Emerging technologies Homeland Security and affiliated agencies are piloting and deploying more than 100 artificial intelligence systems, including some used in law enforcement activities, according to the department’s disclosure Wednesday.
—Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Homeland Security and affiliated agencies are piloting and deploying more than 100 artificial intelligence systems, including some used in law enforcement activities, according to the department’s disclosure Wednesday.
—Byron Tau, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Senior Source is currently piloting a retirement mapping program for residents of Dallas and Collin counties.
—Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The transit authority is piloting three new styles of fare gates at 20 stations citywide.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
Qu said the company sees it as a hobby-grade product aimed at users who want a closer approximation of real piloting.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Give Charlotte credit for a forward-thinking move rather than auto-piloting into his next contract, but the short-term consequence is that there are no qualified starting centers here.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With Kinta piloting, and Momo’s psychic powers fused with Aira’s hair abilities, the group makes a desperate attempt to shift the battle in their favor.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Next comes some fancy piloting, the detachment of the thrusters, and then the scavenger ship is effectively so much deadweight in space, at least for now.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Given its long range and the high likelihood of operating in an environment compromised by electronic warfare system, the Liutyi is not designed for remote piloting.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
The officer piloting the drone could use its display monitor to determine whether more officers need to be dispatched to a call or fewer.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2026
The biochar machine was one of three solutions the county is piloting.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
There are many games that offer similar FPV warfare experiences, including driving tanks, piloting fighter jets, and commanding submarines.
—Archie Clarke, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Several health systems are piloting the tools now, the company said.
—Brittany Trang, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Emerging technologies Homeland Security and affiliated agencies are piloting and deploying more than 100 artificial intelligence systems, including some used in law enforcement activities, according to the department’s disclosure Wednesday.
—Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Homeland Security and affiliated agencies are piloting and deploying more than 100 artificial intelligence systems, including some used in law enforcement activities, according to the department’s disclosure Wednesday.
—Byron Tau, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Senior Source is currently piloting a retirement mapping program for residents of Dallas and Collin counties.
—Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The transit authority is piloting three new styles of fare gates at 20 stations citywide.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piloting
Noun
-
Honda tweaked the steering to provide more feedback and a greater sense of stability.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This mode leaves it up to the RZR's onboard management system to analyze driving parameters like throttle, braking, steering and motion and lock or unlock the sway bars accordingly – up to 200 times per second.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jit Singh, who grew up in Johor and has been guiding for 50-plus years, met us in the lobby.—
Jeff Chu,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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He’s currently tied with George Seifert, who won 17 upon succeeding Bill Walsh and guiding the 1989 49ers to the Lombardi Trophy.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The move aims to increase accountability for ICE and other federal agents conducting enforcement operations in California.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The two laws at issue grew out of concern among Democrats that officers conducting the federal administration’s aggressive immigration sweeps were generally wearing masks and bore little or no identification.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The new installment promises challenges across diverse locations, from navigating the Angolan desert in track vehicles to immersing in Malaysia’s automotive scene and testing American performance cars in California.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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Neighbors in some communities have seen a reprieve from snow removal, yet others continue to wait while navigating tough sidewalks.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Pivotal's quality management system is also certified by SAE International, which sets global aviation safety standards.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Ed Dolshun has over 12 years’ experience in the pest management industry and is currently chief trapping officer and technical director at Catchmaster.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His only experience coaching tight ends was at the Senior Bowl.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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His official title is senior defensive assistant, a curious change for a coach who has spent a lifetime on offense around a head-coaching stint with the Giants.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He had just been hired as the Patriots’ new running backs coach, and wanted to begin laying relationship bricks on a regular March day.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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As Thursday’s trade deadline looms, the Heat is believed to still be in the running for Antetokounmpo; that remains Miami’s unquestioned priority.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Taking the baton Pacific Symphony announced its 2026-27 Classical Series, marking the orchestra’s 48th season, and its first under the leadership of its new artistic and music director, Alexander Shelley.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piloting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piloting. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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