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behind the times old-fashioned orthodox outdated traditional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.

Mingling Cubism, Dada, abstraction, Constructivism and Surrealism, he occupied his own avant-garde stronghold.

From The Wall Street Journal

Until “Anónimo,” the Argentine avant-garde had never sounded so intoxicatingly sensuous.

From Los Angeles Times

Then there’s the music itself, which was beyond avant-garde.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m joining some of your more avant-garde platforms.

From Los Angeles Times

Anderson was enchanted by outsiders — not just avant-garde writers but radicals like Emma Goldman.

From Los Angeles Times