Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for avant-garde. Search instead for avancerande.
Definitions

avant-garde

[uh-vahnt-gahrd, uh-vant-, av-ahnt-, ah-vahnt-, a-vahn-gard] / əˌvɑntˈgɑrd, əˌvænt-, ˌæv ɑnt-, ˌɑ vɑnt-, a vɑ̃ˈgard /
ADJECTIVE
cutting-edge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advanced ahead of its time cutting-edge experimental groundbreaking innovative innovatory inventive leading-edge modern new new-wave original pioneering progressive revolutionary state-of-the-art trailblazing ultramodern unorthodox
STRONG
daring forward-looking forward-thinking hip last-word nonconformist off the beaten path radical
WEAK
Bohemian offbeat unconventional unfamiliar unorthodox untraditional way-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
behind the times old-fashioned orthodox outdated traditional
STRONG
conservative moderate
WEAK
conventional

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I was always attracted to both the avant-garde stuff and the square stuff,” he explained.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

And the comparison to Bowie’s West German sojourn is apt: working with his producers, Styles has clearly immersed himself in the avant-garde, taking chances, and embracing idiosyncrasy.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

Huppert said of avant-garde German filmmaker Ottinger that "you want to follow her vision, her craziness".

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Its closing track, a harmonically suspended instrumental titled “The Brazilian,” flirted with the avant-garde by repeating the same anti-melody, anchored on a jungle of percussive clangs and hyperkinetic Simmons drum rolls.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

This officially confirmed their outsider status and made me an enemy of the avant-garde.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris