as in progressive
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques
a very avant-garde artist whose works wouldn't even be considered art by many traditionalists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in vanguard
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts
to the theater world's avant-garde, the melodrama seemed like a very old-fashioned play whose time had come and gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 avant-garde
Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Her three-dimensional ensemble is emblematic of Reed’s gender-fluid, avant-garde aesthetic.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Adjective
Active in avant-garde music on the European music scene, Bertelmann frequently employs prepared piano and electronics.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
The nude, floor-length frock hinted at old Hollywood, perhaps a nod to mom Janet Leigh, but with the avant-garde touch of exterior boning in the corset.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023
Noun
His friendships with figures like Man Ray, Coco Chanel, and Jean Cocteau, along with his involvement in the Parisian avant-garde and surrealist circles, including Salvador Dalì and Lee Miller, influenced his style deeply.
—Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Her three-dimensional ensemble is emblematic of Reed’s gender-fluid, avant-garde aesthetic.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
And there’s something deceptively progressive in those stories.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Setting up your trusts in states that are leaders in modifying trust laws in progressive ways to address tax law and other changes from the inception of the trust can prove advantageous for the reasons illustrated in the preceding paragraph.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
After gaining momentum during the 2012 teachers strike and emerging as the progressive vanguard of the city, the labor organization primed Johnson to eventually win the mayor’s seat after decades of being shut out of City Hall’s fifth floor.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that aimed at bringing the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof in new spaces worldwide.—
Sofia Celeste,
WWD,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The latest data from the NAEP tests, released in January, showed U.S. fourth and eighth graders in 2024 performing below pre-pandemic levels in reading and math. NAEP classifies students at one of three skill levels: advanced, proficient, or the lowest, basic.—
Elissa Nadworny,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
-
President Donald Trump’s dramatic surprise announcement giving priority to an advanced missile defense to protect the United States continues to generate debate.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Formed in 1966 in Canterbury, Kent, Soft Machine made a name for themselves on the London underground circuit playing a jazzy take on psychedelic prog-rock that eventually earned them slots opening for Pink Floyd and, in the U.S., Jimi Hendrix.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The toolkit was first put up for sale on a Russian criminal underground forum for $2,500 in Oct. 2024.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Two of this year’s contenders hope to chart an unconventional path.—
Kyle Buchanan,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
-
While some praised his unconventional love life, many were far from impressed.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The collection Olsen’s gown hails from was rife with avant, flowing takes on bows, whether at the shoulders of pastel dresses or at the hips of drop waist dresses or tailored jackets.—
Marissa Muller,
WWD,
22 Feb. 2025
-
The gentle, squishy textures of those loops, along with the work of avant jazz harp player Zeena Parkins, make for the strangely appropriate sonic backdrop of some of Björk’s most intimate and erotic songs.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Presenting extraordinary eyewear collections, that highlight the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern design aesthetics.—
Thomas Waller,
WWD,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Outside of its minimalist design, the piece measures 13.5 inches high and is made from solid wood for a look that pairs well with any home style, especially the rustic modern farmhouse aesthetic.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to the wealth of historical knowledge on view, the exhibition also presents contributions by contemporary Indigenous artists working in painting, sculpture, and video, as well as traditional arts like basket weaving and canoe making.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The third take on the premise in four months, the spot was among the most glaring moments when the night seemed like a celebration less of the entire show than of its catchiest contemporary material.—
Esther Zuckerman,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share