as in pilots
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the solo flight from New York to Paris by the aviator Charles Lindbergh captured the imagination of people around the world
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Recent Examples of aviators
Previously, aviators could use the $165-per-month Starlink Roam plan on their aircraft, but as its name suggests, Aviation 300MPH capped the in-motion internet access at 300mph, so Roam was no longer an option on planes.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
The museum has a collection of artifacts and aircrafts such as the Apollo 9 Command Module, a mock-up of the Lockheed Vega 5B, flown by Amelia Earhart, B-58 Hustler flight plans and various pictures of famous aviators and airplanes.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The United States rescued two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
In another set of Instagram pictures from her Cabo trip, Sims flaunted her toned physique in a red-and-white Lemlem two-piece, along with Chanel aviators and multiple pieces from Shylee Rose jewelry.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
In an interview with Nashville’s WKRN News, the singer shrugged off the ongoing Army investigation of the aviators involved in the unauthorized flight, suggesting that the pilots have nothing to be worried about.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
Texas’ first Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day was recognized on Thursday at the State Veterans Home named in honor of the first African-American military aviators.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The association said the deaths of the two young aviators have shaken up the industry.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
The museum has a collection of artifacts and aircrafts such as the Apollo 9 Command Module, a mock-up of the Lockheed Vega 5B, flown by Amelia Earhart, B-58 Hustler flight plans and various pictures of famous aviators and airplanes.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The United States rescued two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
In another set of Instagram pictures from her Cabo trip, Sims flaunted her toned physique in a red-and-white Lemlem two-piece, along with Chanel aviators and multiple pieces from Shylee Rose jewelry.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
In an interview with Nashville’s WKRN News, the singer shrugged off the ongoing Army investigation of the aviators involved in the unauthorized flight, suggesting that the pilots have nothing to be worried about.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
Texas’ first Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day was recognized on Thursday at the State Veterans Home named in honor of the first African-American military aviators.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The association said the deaths of the two young aviators have shaken up the industry.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aviators
pilots
Noun
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Something awarded only to licensed pilots with a perfect safety record of 50 years, and less than one percent of airline pilots -- only a handful of women -- have received it.—
Rina Nakano,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Given that the cutoff age in America for commercial airline pilots is 65, eyebrows might be raised by making 82-year-old Ben Kingsley the captain on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aviators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aviators. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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