pioneer 1 of 3

noun

ˌpī-ə-ˈnir How to pronounce pioneer (audio)
Definition of pioneernext
as in settler
a person who settles in a new region the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pioneer

2 of 3

adjective

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

pioneer

3 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pioneer
Noun
The pioneer of the world’s largest Bitcoin asset treasury attended the president’s first crypto summit at the White House in March 2025. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 1 July 2026 The series aims to change that by highlighting the AAPI pioneers behind some of America's biggest innovations and cultural milestones—from Yahoo! — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
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
John Coltrane is another influential figure in the history of jazz, known for his pioneering innovations on the saxophone, notably his ability to create a complex, rapid-fire approach to chord progressions. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 2 July 2026 The debut novel from this English professor and pioneering feminist follows Mira, a suburban homemaker who chafes against patriarchal society, divorces her husband, enrolls in graduate school, and becomes an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pioneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pioneer
  1. settler
  2. first
  3. establish
  4. colonist
  5. initial
  6. found
  7. foremost
  8. initiate
Noun
  • But that friendship was betrayed as settlers dried up the Gila with upstream dams and diversions.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Some people, including descendents of long-ago English, Welsh and Scotch-Irish settlers, now identify themselves simply as American.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of settler
Adjective
  • The Kings led 28-22 at the end of the first quarter and carried a 55-48 advantage into the halftime break.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • Tehran has paused fragile negotiations with the US aimed at reaching a lasting deal to end their conflict during the multi-day funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike in February, on the first day of the war.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • Lawyers on both sides have urged the high court to establish a clear right to a verbatim record in civil hearings.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Last December, the city of Miami approved an ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Damian Pardo establishing an overnight anchoring limitation area within portions of Biscayne Bay.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of establish
Noun
  • And the war that was fought in the backcountry would serve as a catalyst for the Revolutionary War when the British king decided to help pay down war debt by taxing the colonists.
    — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • English colonists from Barbados and Bermuda settled in the region during that time, bringing with them enslaved Africans with their own abundant culinary heritage.
    — Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of colonist
Adjective
  • Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association members have broadened to include NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in the initial tournament in 1930.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • America, whose Constitution was formulated by white men, struggled to live up to its founding ideals in the days of slavery and displacement of Native Americans.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Dioz was co-founded by Johnny, 44, and his brother Tony in 2006.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of found
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Krutarth Shah, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Some of the world’s foremost experts in TND and vaccine evaluation are at the CDC.
    — Ben Lopman, STAT, 2 July 2026
Definition of foremost
Verb
  • The bank initiated coverage of the telecommunications giant with an underweight rating.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • This broad mission translates into a wide variety of programs, most of which are initiated by individual chapters according to their own priorities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
Definition of initiate

Browse Nearby Words

pinwheels
pioneer
pioneered
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Cite this Entry

“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pioneer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pioneer

Nglish: Translation of pioneer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pioneer

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