van

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

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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

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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 Officers in riot gear and driving armoured vans responded with water cannon and plastic baton rounds after being attacked by petrol bombs, scaffolding and rocks that rioters gathered by knocking down nearby walls, a Reuters witness said. Reuters, CNN Money, 10 June 2025 Officers are shown handcuffing the individuals and loading them into white vans. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025 The van is equipped with a nurse, peer recovery support specialist and outreach staff to deliver care directly to communities most affected by the opioid crisis, according to the county. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 Late on the morning of May 16, Patricia Roberts, 82, was driving through her hometown of Carlsbad when her vehicle collided with a van at El Camino Real and Jackspar Drive, the medical examiner reported. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
Noun
  • Once associated with pioneer women in long dresses, Latter-day Saints are increasingly represented by a new vanguard of social media influencers.
    Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • If EVs are any augury, America’s days at technology’s vanguard might be numbered.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Fox One is launching by the fall, and puts sports at the forefront of its overall offering.
    John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Todd Simmons is at the forefront of the Mansfield City Council Place 5 race over opponent Melisa Perez according to unofficial polling data.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Wearing a green military uniform and short beard, Salami took the salute of soldiers in the cavernous underground complex and walked over the United States and Israel flags on the ground.
    Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
  • By the end of the first season, Marie and her new friends discover a secret underground facility where students are being experimented upon in the hopes of developing a super virus that can kill supes.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Brian Wilson, leader of The Beach Boys, widely acknowledged as one of America’s all-time greatest composers, a pioneer of advanced studio techniques, and one of the most sensitive chroniclers of the Californian experience, has died at age 82.
    Barry Walters, Billboard, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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