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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Following the example of Charli XCX’s Brat and its avant-garde influences, the producer Jim-E Stack has fashioned fun beats out of distorted noise.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 June 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
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth will bring her blend of art-punk and avant-garde to the stage.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Following the example of Charli XCX’s Brat and its avant-garde influences, the producer Jim-E Stack has fashioned fun beats out of distorted noise.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avant-garde
Adjective
-
Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Collier took a more progressive approach to Native issues.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
-
Last season, 33 per cent of his total carries in the Premier League were progressive, defined as carries greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition goal — only Jeremy Doku (38 per cent) had a higher share among players who played at least 900 minutes.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Lalonde was key in developing a unique strategy that brought the group’s vanguard brands B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena under one roof.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
27 June 2025
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The multi-media vanguard is now channeling his creative vision into telling authentic stories of Black love through independent filmmaking.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Seeking a spot for advanced waves farther north, near the Papagayo Peninsula?—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
8 July 2025
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My Gen 3 ring is even cheaper, though its sensor capabilities and battery life aren’t quite as advanced or long-lasting as the Gen 4’s.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Noun
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But, of course, a facility like Fordow underground is dependent on a lot of infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2025
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Turkmenistan possesses the world’s fourth largest reserves of natural gas in its underground, exporting gas to countries such as Pakistan, China, India, Iran and Russia.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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In advance of this month’s release of the Happy Gilmore 2, Callaway Golf has unveiled a new limited edition Odyssey hockey stick putter and golf balls inspired by the movie, which showcases the return of funnyman Adam Sandler as a failed hockey player turned unconventional golfer.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Despite financial insecurity, both parents encouraged their daughters to pursue their dreams, however unconventional — their feminist, progressive spirit guided Earhart like a compass.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Julia Fox pretty much owns avant garde fashion at this point.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
29 Jan. 2025
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His tunes draw on a broad spectrum of Black American music, seamlessly encompassing blues, funk and R&B along with bebop and avant garde directions forged by Ornette Coleman (which are also steeped in the blues).—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These modern, design-forward homes have shared amenities like a sauna, a cold plunge, a putting green, and a basketball court.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
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Even with higher on-average incomes, gay parents face the same challenges of the modern economy as straight ones — from student loan repayments to a carton of eggs.—
Sam Raus,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Who knew all the best contemporary brands would be in one place, and on sale?—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
11 July 2025
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Meanwhile, the final two sentences are painfully inspirational therapy-speak—which would be cringe-worthy enough in a contemporary novel but sound jarringly anachronistic in the context of a 19th century period piece.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avant-garde. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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