1
as in pioneer
a person or group that originates new concepts, styles, and techniques
The Beatles are recognized as some of the greatest trailblazers of rock music.
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2
as in colonist
a person who settles in a new region
The Mayflower brought with it a group of European trailblazers, determined to make a home of that land dubbed "New England."
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Recent Examples of trailblazer
The 22-year-old may only be at the start of her career, but is already considered a trailblazer, becoming the first Black woman to feature in the US hockey team at a Winter Games.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The program also paid tribute to trailblazers like Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, jazz legend Louis Armstrong and renowned poet Maya Angelou.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Superintendent Amanda Alaniz called her a trailblazer in women’s sports.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Six Idaho leaders will be honored at a first-of-its-kind event celebrating athletes, coaches and trailblazers who have paved the way for the next generation of girls and women in Idaho sports.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trailblazer
Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The program also paid tribute to trailblazers like Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, jazz legend Louis Armstrong and renowned poet Maya Angelou.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Superintendent Amanda Alaniz called her a trailblazer in women’s sports.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Six Idaho leaders will be honored at a first-of-its-kind event celebrating athletes, coaches and trailblazers who have paved the way for the next generation of girls and women in Idaho sports.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trailblazer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailblazer
Noun
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Ivy Queen Reggaeton icon and pioneer Ivy Queen has performed with Bad Bunny on multiple occasions, with the rapper crediting the Queen of Reggaeton as a major inspiration.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Along with coaches George Halas, Clark Shaughnessy, and Ralph Jones, Luckman was a pioneer in the T Formation motion, with three running backs lined up behind the quarterback and a man shifting laterally and behind the line of scrimmage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 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
Noun
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Portugal’s legendary explorer Ferdinand Magellan gets an epic biopic courtesy of Filipino filmmaker and societal historian Lav Diaz.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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The personal, intimate look invited explorers to travel back in time and imagine what once was.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailblazer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailblazer. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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