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
Unlike in many other camper vans, the table relies solely on a locking gas strut and does not require a telescoping leg, keeping plenty of legroom clear below.
—
New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025
Also in Coral Gables, on Jan. 28 officers intercepted launched an investigation after intercepting several vans transporting more than two dozen Chinese migrants.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
According to Hall, Lincoln travels in a custom van, big enough for 15 passengers, for the 13-hour journey.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
By Tuesday evening, fewer than a dozen migrants would board a van headed for the shelter, while others left on their own, some intending to return the next day.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for van 
New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025
Also in Coral Gables, on Jan. 28 officers intercepted launched an investigation after intercepting several vans transporting more than two dozen Chinese migrants.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
According to Hall, Lincoln travels in a custom van, big enough for 15 passengers, for the 13-hour journey.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
By Tuesday evening, fewer than a dozen migrants would board a van headed for the shelter, while others left on their own, some intending to return the next day.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for van
Recent Examples of Synonyms for van
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
Noun
-
Claiming the Future of Entertainment: Gaming has been at the forefront of entertainment for nearly 50 years.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Artificial intelligence Elon Musk is attempting to put himself at the forefront of artificial intelligence with a high-stakes bid that could reshape the future of the technology.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
His breakthrough came via 1977’s Eraserhead, which became popular in the midnight movie underground circuit.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Visual effects, animation and gaming pioneer Alberto Menache received the Ub Iwerks Award for technical achievement.—
Terry Flores,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Manifest destiny plays its part, too, as the struggle between enterprising pioneers and tragic, courageous native tribes ignites nostalgia, at least in some, for a time when Americans were unapologetic conquerors.—
Michael M. Rosen,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to van
Thesaurus Entries Near van
Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/van. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share