as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
he single-handedly pioneered the university's institute for medical research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pioneer
Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Hunt was a pro tennis pioneer, as well, and the source of that film is a trove of some 600 videotapes of tournaments around the world that reside on shelves inside SubTropolis.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
The debate over streetcars Gillham’s inspiration came from San Francisco inventor Andrew Hallidie, who had pioneered cable cars in 1873.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Noun
Considered a pioneer in hydraulic fracking, Hamm is one of the richest oil men in America and among the richest men in the world, according to Forbes.
—Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Hunt was a pro tennis pioneer, as well, and the source of that film is a trove of some 600 videotapes of tournaments around the world that reside on shelves inside SubTropolis.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
In the 1960s, a pioneering neuroscientist named Marian Diamond showed that for the first time by conducting a series of studies with rats.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
The debate over streetcars Gillham’s inspiration came from San Francisco inventor Andrew Hallidie, who had pioneered cable cars in 1873.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
Noun
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As a result, around 1,600 Taínos across Hispaniola became captives—of these, 550 were sent to Spain and 650 given to settlers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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Their culture and practices shaped the Southwestern part of this country, in spite of relentless attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tim Curry of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame memorably gave the dancing clown its first breath in a 1990 miniseries co-written and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Flames, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win at home after starting their season 1-6-0.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While several states have passed bills to establish year-round daylight saving time, any changes require federal action.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Because Moreno was not yet established, the Diamondbacks wanted an everyday outfielder in Gurriel, too.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The show was inspired by the novel The Swiss Family Robinson, and Lockhart played the mother of a family of space colonists.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Beaver Moon takes its name from early Native American tribes as well as American colonists, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when beavers begin sheltering in their lodges after gathering enough food to last the winter.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His initial coping mechanism was to throw his water bottle in frustration.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The items collect dust, and the space is rarely revisited after the initial setup until the holidays come around.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The oldest, Banco Santander, was founded in 1857.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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The online education company, founded 20 years ago, has been hit by the rise of generative AI software tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, which have become increasingly popular among students.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Goodall was seen as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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The 2019 Nationals aren’t even the foremost road warriors of the last few years.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Members of Detroit’s police oversight board are calling for changes to how the department initiates minor stops after two recent police shootings that began with stops for drinking in a parking lot and an obscured license plate.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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The maximum group size is eight people and the tour route (starting in Deer Valley or Snowbird) is chosen by the initiating reservation.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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