as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in experimental
made or done as an experiment
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
piloted the figure skater through the national championships
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
the lead rider piloted the rest of the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilot
Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 July 2025
The mayoral candidates must move beyond promises and pilots, and center their campaigns on bold, universal plans that meet the needs of all families.
—Reshma Saujani, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The pilot episode of Martin's new TV show on Outdoor Channel centers around his journey to becoming a master of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue, a technique enduring among only a few pitmasters in the state.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
Sam Kieldsen, Wired News, 27 June 2025
To scale effectively, brands should pilot new experiences, partner with tech experts, and use feedback and analytics to optimize performance.
—Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Noun
The first two weeks of it was sitting down with the pilot and building trust.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 July 2025
The mayoral candidates must move beyond promises and pilots, and center their campaigns on bold, universal plans that meet the needs of all families.
—Reshma Saujani, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Adjective
The pilot episode of The Baldwins, TLC’s new reality show about actor Alec Baldwin and his family, is one of the darkest and most bizarre hours of television to appear in recent memory.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The pilot episode of Martin's new TV show on Outdoor Channel centers around his journey to becoming a master of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue, a technique enduring among only a few pitmasters in the state.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
Verb
As such, piloting an FPV drone is a completely different, entirely more challenging kettle of fish than piloting a standard camera drone.
—Sam Kieldsen, Wired News, 27 June 2025
To scale effectively, brands should pilot new experiences, partner with tech experts, and use feedback and analytics to optimize performance.
—Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
Noun
-
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
Oversized aviators Mark my words: Summer’s trendiest sunglasses will be retro, oversized aviators.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Participants were presented with a series of experimental questions along with two facial photographs, one of a bearded face and another of a non-bearded one.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
It’s got slick R&B, raw voice-memo rock-guitar sketches, experimental collabos with Mk.gee and Dijon.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
His legacy was the tradition of limited government and individual responsibility that guides us back to our true north when America gets off track.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
Leah Williamson, who led England to Euro 2022 glory and helped guide Arsenal to Champions League success as vice-captain, has been a natural leader.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
This level of confidence from Oakley is helping steer their vision of the future with the help of innovators like Meta AI, Axiom Space, and Travis Scott.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
There is also a neutral setting between forward and reverse that lets the watercraft drift, a nice change from the old days of not being able to steer at all if there was no thrust.—
Jeremy Korzeniewski,
Robb Report,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
But our humanity, and the task of teaching children to navigate an ever more complex world, depends on keeping our friendships analog.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
-
Cruise On Large Mesh Over-the-door Organizer After staying in rooms of all sizes on cruises, my grandparents have become pros at navigating compact quarters.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The authors hope to continue to investigate how other developmental genes across other sea spider species may have appeared or disappeared throughout their life history, per Earth.com, potentially affecting their abdomens.—
Christian Thorsberg,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 July 2025
-
Third, make bystander training a critical element of developmental opportunities for all employees, and encourage everyone to advocate for themselves and others.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
In 2017 he was forced to coach the Golden State Warriors because Steve Kerr was having health issues due to a back injury.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
When not coaching her kids on how to maim an attacker, Hailey mans the radio.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
That leadership will need to show itself in the coming months, before ballots are printed and voters start returning ballots by mail.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
Another video shows two fans fell over a wall and landed on concrete at the pit entrance.—
Mark Price
Updated July 7,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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