VANS Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

vans

noun

plural of van

as in vanguards

the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in forefronts

the leading or most important part of a movement a company that is considered by some to be in the van of the latest technology for renewable energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 vans Between 2023 and 2025, the state spent close to $30 million on helicopter engines, cargo vans and trailers, all tied to immigration enforcement efforts. — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 Crew trucks and vans surrounded the aircraft on the tarmac, video captured by CNN affiliate WBBM showed. — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Over the opening weekend of the Premier League season, versions of this conversation are ubiquitous across the country — in pubs, queues at burger vans, stadiums, online, at home. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The district does have about 8 or 9 vans — some of which run on gas, some run on propane. — Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The plant produces Rivian’s R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and commercial vans. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026 The facility aims to start production in early 2028, with an initial run of about 5,000 vehicles a year, comprised of passenger cars and delivery vans. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 The agreement will see passenger cars and delivery vans tailored to hot climates made in Qatar, Autocar reported, with an initial run of about 5,000 vehicles a year. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Drivers who want a new vehicle without committing to long-term ownership can lease cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vans

Noun

The great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The once-insurgent vanguards who cast their first votes for Barack Obama have relinquished their cool factor to Gen Z, who will one day undergo the same process themselves as time continues its relentless march forward.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026

Definition of vanguards

Noun

One of the real forefronts in the field right now is figuring out how to solve the delivery problem for all these other tissue types.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.

— Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of forefronts

Noun

Districts like Rasuwa have faced historically high poverty rates, and are on the front lines of the climate crisis, at risk of disasters like forest fires and landslides.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Still, the debate is raging with voice actors on the front lines.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of front lines

Noun

The company will evaluate applications for nose cones, fins, leading edges, bulkheads, and other high-performance structures that require precision and durability.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025