as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
he single-handedly pioneered the university's institute for medical research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pioneer
Jean Case, Time, 14 May 2026
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, the NBA announced.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
Blood is only the beginning in Marion Le Corroller’s Species, which follows firmly in the trail pioneered by Julia Ducournau but brings its own thoughts to the woman-in-a-man’s-world body-horror genre.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
The early internet pioneers believed technology would bring us together.
—Jean Case, Time, 14 May 2026
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, the NBA announced.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The grounds, sculpted by pioneering landscape designer Thomas Church, include numerous terraces, patios, and decks.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
Blood is only the beginning in Marion Le Corroller’s Species, which follows firmly in the trail pioneered by Julia Ducournau but brings its own thoughts to the woman-in-a-man’s-world body-horror genre.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
-
The South African government has denied persecuting the ethnic minority, composed of descendants of European settlers, mostly from the Netherlands.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Now, says Israel uses evidence of a historical Jewish presence in East Jerusalem to justify settlers moving in today.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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The Ravens held minicamp in April — the first under Minter — and Jackson was in attendance.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
The backstory The first Ana Mandara property was built 30 years ago in neighboring Nha Trang.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Dylan's older brother, Ashten, has since established a GoFundMe to help support Dylan and his family pay their rent during this challenging time, noting that Dylan has lost out on work and income during his recovery.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The board’s five-part plan establishes a timeline to follow and directs district staff to execute some steps, including naming the new chief at the start of the new school year and the price tag of the search.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
During the Pequot War, a conflict between Connecticut colonists and the Pequot tribe, Capt.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
In Ho Chi Minh City, bánh mì grew out of French colonization — the colonists brought the baguette, and Vietnamese bakers reworked it into something lighter and crispier.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Last week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported hotel bookings for most host cities have tracked below initial forecasts, with particular weakness seen in Kansas City, where as many as 90% of respondents said sales were trailing a typical summer.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
The Panthers’ draft picks were given their initial jersey numbers during rookie camp.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Two of Rubén’s older sons, who married Russian acrobats during international stints, broke off and founded their own troupe as Circus Caballero.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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Co-founded in 1986 by philanthropist and child health advocate Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and pediatrician and genetics pioneer Professor David Danks, MCRI comprises 1,800 scientists, researchers and clinicians.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cochran gave Bradley credit for that London show and many more that followed, putting him together with Noël Coward, the young George Balanchine, and the man who would become the foremost progenitor of ballet in Britain, Frederick Ashton.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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And there’s no one better to portray that than Drucker, who has become one of our foremost portrayers of women on the edge.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Cavan Sullivan initiated the attack, finding Nathan Harriel, who delivered a precise cross to Milan Iloski for the finish.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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After the estate countersued, the two sides agreed to a settlement that allowed the estate to continue initiating book projects and awarded film rights to Paramount.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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