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
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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
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Recent Examples of vans
Last year, Rivian produced 42,284 vehicles — including trucks and delivery vans — at its Normal plant, the company’s sole manufacturing facility.
—
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Two French Rafale fighter jets’ two-man crews — a pilot and a navigator — were seen racing in two vans to the planes’ hangars from the headquarters building the French detachment uses during its four-month deployment on the air base.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Etat-Major des Armees via AP Two French Rafale fighter jets' two-man crews — a pilot and a navigator — were seen racing in two vans to the planes' hangars from the headquarters building the French detachment uses during its four-month deployment on the air base.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
In fact, the New York Police Department’s Municipal Vice Squad arrested the whole cast, and carried them off in black vans.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout the summer, Sprinter vans bearing families of ten or twelve pull up for a vacation where their kids can run around on industrial-scale playground equipment before celebrating Mass with hundreds of other people.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Like in many camper vans, a clear center aisle offers loads of space for packing in luggage, camping gear and large sports equipment like bicycles or surfboards.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The National Guard soldiers in desert camo piled out of unmarked vans in East Los Angeles last June, cordoning off East Sixth Street, a residential street lined with single family houses, and blocking a nearby road leading to an elementary school.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Two French Rafale fighter jets’ two-man crews — a pilot and a navigator — were seen racing in two vans to the planes’ hangars from the headquarters building the French detachment uses during its four-month deployment on the air base.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Etat-Major des Armees via AP Two French Rafale fighter jets' two-man crews — a pilot and a navigator — were seen racing in two vans to the planes' hangars from the headquarters building the French detachment uses during its four-month deployment on the air base.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
In fact, the New York Police Department’s Municipal Vice Squad arrested the whole cast, and carried them off in black vans.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout the summer, Sprinter vans bearing families of ten or twelve pull up for a vacation where their kids can run around on industrial-scale playground equipment before celebrating Mass with hundreds of other people.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Like in many camper vans, a clear center aisle offers loads of space for packing in luggage, camping gear and large sports equipment like bicycles or surfboards.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The National Guard soldiers in desert camo piled out of unmarked vans in East Los Angeles last June, cordoning off East Sixth Street, a residential street lined with single family houses, and blocking a nearby road leading to an elementary school.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 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.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This work must be guided by those on the front lines — organizations like NYLAG, which has helped homeowners navigate the trauma and complexity of deed theft.—
Darlene Mealy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Suppliers, in turn, must engage directly with workers on the front lines of the issue.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Surprisingly, it was found that stingers use a distinct layering of zinc at the tip, followed by manganese, while pincers are reinforced with zinc and iron specifically along their cutting edges.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Placing cutting edges along the handle might seem like a risky design choice.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vans. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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