1
as in vanguards
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forefronts
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
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Recent Examples of vans
Everyone from Ed Sheeran to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were spotted, as were several Kansas City Chiefs players, many of whom were captured loading into blacked out sprinter vans from a swanky hotel that media and some fans staked out.
—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
A little after three in the afternoon, guests start arriving in tinted SUVs, sprinter vans, and a few regular-looking Uber minivans.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
4 July 2026
Plus, the price tag is tens of thousands less than several of Winnebago's camper vans.
—
New Atlas,
3 July 2026
The area has been densely packed with photographers, reporters, fans, police, security and black vans that are believed to be dropping off some of the guests.
—
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
By mid-afternoon Friday, dozens of fans clustered near MSG as black SUVs and vans with tinted windows, presumably filled with wedding attendees, turned the corner toward the stadium.
—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
White delivery vans with orange Katapulk logos splashed across each side delivered goods all over the island.
—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
There will be hundreds of cooling centers, from the Javits Center convention hall to vans to outdoor spots with misting fans.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Smaller delivery vehicles, including cars, vans and bikes are exempt, the mayor's office said.
—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
A little after three in the afternoon, guests start arriving in tinted SUVs, sprinter vans, and a few regular-looking Uber minivans.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
4 July 2026
Plus, the price tag is tens of thousands less than several of Winnebago's camper vans.
—
New Atlas,
3 July 2026
The area has been densely packed with photographers, reporters, fans, police, security and black vans that are believed to be dropping off some of the guests.
—
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
By mid-afternoon Friday, dozens of fans clustered near MSG as black SUVs and vans with tinted windows, presumably filled with wedding attendees, turned the corner toward the stadium.
—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
White delivery vans with orange Katapulk logos splashed across each side delivered goods all over the island.
—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
There will be hundreds of cooling centers, from the Javits Center convention hall to vans to outdoor spots with misting fans.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Smaller delivery vehicles, including cars, vans and bikes are exempt, the mayor's office said.
—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans
Noun
-
The once-insurgent vanguards who cast their first votes for Barack Obama have relinquished their cool factor to Gen Z, who will one day undergo the same process themselves as time continues its relentless march forward.
-
Pants-optional dressing was arguably the biggest fashion trend of 2025, with celebrity style vanguards like Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Sydney Sweeney opting to leave their pants at home in favor of cheeky outfits—and Eva Longoria is getting on the pantsless bandwagon.
Noun
-
One of the real forefronts in the field right now is figuring out how to solve the delivery problem for all these other tissue types.
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.
Noun
-
Russia’s military losses have mainly come down to Ukraine’s improving abilities to strike deep behind front lines, as well as Russia’s own faltering military machine, two factors with direct repercussions on the Russian economy at large.
-
Britain has a productivity problem and SMEs are on the front lines.
Noun
-
The company will evaluate applications for nose cones, fins, leading edges, bulkheads, and other high-performance structures that require precision and durability.
-
Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).
Noun
-
With no sharp cutting edges, the Vulyx is claimed to be TSA-compliant.
-
But over time, the cutting edges on a drill bit will wear down, causing materials start to splinter, leading to chipped wood or damaged walls.
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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