pilot 1 of 3

noun

ˈpī-lət How to pronounce pilot (audio)
Definition of pilotnext
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

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pilot

2 of 3

adjective

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

pilot

3 of 3

verb

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
3
as in to helm
to operate or control the course of managed to pilot the plane to safety despite the failure of the left engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pilot contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pilot are engineer, guide, lead, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When could engineer be used to replace pilot?

The words engineer and pilot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

In what contexts can guide take the place of pilot?

While the synonyms guide and pilot are close in meaning, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would lead be a reasonable alternative to pilot?

In some situations, the words lead and pilot are roughly equivalent. However, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is it sensible to use steer instead of pilot?

The synonyms steer and pilot are sometimes interchangeable, but steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pilot
Noun
Brunton told The Times that the county was launching a pilot program (somewhat literally) to use helicopters as fire lookouts. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Frontier must now turn pilot-scale results into a functioning industrial facility. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Kirby plays an astronaut forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) threatens to derail their entire mission in the final countdown to launch. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 The story follows an astronaut (Kirby) who is forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) leaves an indelible stain on the mission in the days leading up to lift off, setting off a tense race against the clock. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Expected to pilot in California in a few weeks, the mobile-first bilingual Early Investment Accounts Navigator plans to expand to other states by the end of the year. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged. — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
  1. aviator
  2. experimental
  3. guide
  4. steer
  5. developmental
  6. coach
  7. show
  8. investigative
Noun
  • During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, aviator and military officer Charles Lindbergh identified the British, the Jewish community and the Roosevelt administration as the primary advocates for America’s entry into war with Germany.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • At the conclusion of the process, the board can recommend what should happen to an aviator’s flight status.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of aviator
Adjective
  • But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of experimental
Verb
  • However, the company is now guiding to full-year constant-currency revenue growth of 11%, down from a previous range of 10% to 11%.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ask the question, take the pause, and let honest self-awareness guide the next conversation.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of guide
Verb
  • A lot of marquee names from the last hiring cycle are just now settling into their new digs, so some of these once-proud programs might have to find their next captain to steer the ship from some unlikely places.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even last season, Moyes headed into the campaign with the immediate aim of quickly steering the side away from another scrap at the wrong end of the table.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of steer
Adjective
  • These youngest children typically have major language or developmental delays that are easier for parents and doctors to spot.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With four years of full roster control, the Bills may not want to risk a young player who has shown real potential in an NFL hungry for developmental talent.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of developmental
Verb
  • An attorney representing Matthew Mayich’s family said Arizona State University is mishandling the investigation into the hockey player’s collapse and hospitalization and called on members of the coaching staff to be put on administrative leave.
    — Nathan Fenno, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Mustangs are coached by Sandburg boys volleyball coach Madisen Babich.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of coach
Verb
  • Booking information from Clark County Detention Center in Nevada shows Hughes in custody with no bail, with a hearing before a judge scheduled for Thursday morning.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The arrest comes just over 24 hours after the NYPD released surveillance footage on Monday showing Guzman Soto slowly walking through the lobby of his mother’s apartment building wheeling a small suitcase.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of show
Adjective
  • These statements show a total disregard for confidentiality, basic investigative standards and the seriousness of ethics violations.
    — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office investigative and tactical teams served a high-risk search warrant at a residence in Salinas and took the suspect into custody.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigative

Browse Nearby Words

pills
pilot
piloted
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Cite this Entry

“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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