1
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefront
the leading or most important part of a movement
a company that is considered by some to be in the van of the latest technology for renewable energy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of van
Despite the unruly acronym, these trucks, vans, and buses play an important role in increasing business efficiency while cutting down on emissions.
—
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Police said the van and body’s condition suggests they had been submerged in the water for years.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
This includes passenger cars, vans, motorcycles, station wagons, SUVs, pick-up trucks and school buses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Melina's disappearance was first reported by her father on July 19, and the Amber Alert stated that she had been last seen in a white van.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for van
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Police said the van and body’s condition suggests they had been submerged in the water for years.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
This includes passenger cars, vans, motorcycles, station wagons, SUVs, pick-up trucks and school buses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Melina's disappearance was first reported by her father on July 19, and the Amber Alert stated that she had been last seen in a white van.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
-
Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that brought the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
27 June 2025
-
The multi-media vanguard is now channeling his creative vision into telling authentic stories of Black love through independent filmmaking.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Quantum computing appears to be at the forefront of what's next in tech.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
As the first major sector to offshore, apparel now has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to be at the forefront of reshoring.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Pilecki selected partisans from members of the Polish underground who were either already in the camp or who’d arrived after him.—
Paul Hockenos,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 May 2025
-
Knowing the travel speed of the seismic waves and timing their arrival along an array of 600 seismometers, the researchers collected a vast quantity of data on Yellowstone’s underground.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Bronson doesn’t shy away from the brutalities of the fighting between the pioneers and the Shawnee and Miami tribes, as seen from the perspective of the settlers.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
-
With the buzz around healthy sodas far from fizzling, Pepsi is doubling down on the emerging segment just months after acquiring one of its pioneers, Poppi, by launching a new innovation: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share