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
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Joining the 49ers’ legend and 1,000/1,000 pioneer are first-ballot entrants Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees, as well as Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
These pioneering astronomers relied on naked-eye observations to understand the cosmos.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
Don Seiden, who died in 2019 at 91, was a pioneer of art therapy and the founder of the art therapy program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Joining the 49ers’ legend and 1,000/1,000 pioneer are first-ballot entrants Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees, as well as Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 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
That led the family to Jan Marshall (no relation), a pioneering Alström syndrome researcher in Bar Harbor, Maine, who helped diagnose Tucker’s sister.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
These pioneering astronomers relied on naked-eye observations to understand the cosmos.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
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The horror-Western follows a settler family on a perilous journey across the Kalahari Desert in the mid-1800s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
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But new research published Sunday in the journal suggests these settlers formed seafaring communities that existed for at least as long as the area’s polynya—a technical name for unfrozen water amid sea ice—indicating that humans have long had a hand in shaping the dynamic Arctic ecosystem.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In August 2025, a 1,063-square-foot home on the first block of South Claremont Avenue in San Jose sold for $915,000, a price per square foot of $861.—
Unitedrobotsrealestate,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Food preferences begin in the first years of life, so the findings of the study are alarming, said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, an alliance of nonprofits, scientists and donors with a mission of reducing babies’ exposures to neurotoxic chemicals.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Palestinian citizens of Israel are descendants of those who were not expelled or forced to flee their homes when Israel was established in 1948.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Phytoplankton establishes on the branches, which attracts zooplankton and insects.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And farther off, toward the mountains, the Cimarronaje—the settlements of the Black Seminoles and Mascogos who, on escaping slavery, became colonists of a territory that asked for their protection in exchange for ownership.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
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From the days of colonists and pirates to the more modern era (of, say, bankers and lawyers servicing offshore corporations), its touristic charms have gone largely unappreciated.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The initial indictment filed in November accused Clase of rigging pitches in specific games between May 2023 and June 2025.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The model presented was the Changan Nevo A06, also known as the Qiyuan A06, which serves as the initial platform for the new battery technology.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile the National Citizen Party (NCP), a political party founded by students following the uprising, has struggled to meaningfully muscle its way into Bangladesh’s fractious and often violent political scene.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Who founded Black History Month?—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
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Here are the foremost players who hit that category for the Broncos in 2026, according to OvertheCap.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Detroit center Jalen Duren received a two-game suspension for initiating the altercation and fighting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Duren received two games for fighting and initiating the altercation.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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