vi·sion·ary
ˈvi-zhə-ˌner-ē 
1
: having or marked by foresight and imagination
a visionary leader
a visionary invention
2
4
: of, relating to, or characterized by visions or the power of vision
plural visionaries
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How Should You Use visionary?
A visionary is someone with a strong vision of the future. Since such visions aren't always accurate, a visionary's ideas may either work brilliantly or fail miserably. Even so, visionary is usually a positive word. Martin Luther King, Jr., for instance, was a visionary in his hopes and ideas for a just society. The word is also an adjective; thus, for example, we may speak of a visionary project, a visionary leader, a visionary painter, or a visionary company.
Examples of visionary in a Sentence
Adjective
She is known as a visionary leader.
He had a visionary experience.
Noun
She's a visionary in her field.
according to Greek myth, Cassandra was a visionary who was endowed with the gift of inerrant prophecy but fated to never be believed
Recent Examples on the Web
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
The Governors Award is presented to an individual, company or organization that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 3 July 2025
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
The Black Panther was created by Marvel Comics visionaries Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the prolific writer-artist duo responsible for the likes of Iron Man, the Hulk, the Avengers and the X-Men.
—Ekow Eshun
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for visionary
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
To lead effectively, visionary executives must drive process reengineering, foster a data-first mindset and embed change management at every level, ensuring technology adoption translates into measurable financial impact and enterprise agility.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
The Governors Award is presented to an individual, company or organization that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Noun
If so, as in if and when the next commercial visionary happens on a new idea that investors gradually fall in love with, the typical retirement investor stands to prosper substantially thanks to the genius of compounding.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
The Black Panther was created by Marvel Comics visionaries Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the prolific writer-artist duo responsible for the likes of Iron Man, the Hulk, the Avengers and the X-Men.
—Ekow Eshun
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for visionary
Cite this Entry
“Visionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visionary. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
visionary
1 of 2 adjective
vi·sion·ary
ˈvizh-ə-ˌner-ē
1
: resembling a vision especially in being impractical
visionary plans for underwater cities
2
: likely to dream or imagine
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