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pioneers

NOUN

person who finds a new place, founds something

Synonyms

STRONG

colonist colonizer developer explorer founder guide homesteader immigrant innovator leader pathfinder pilgrim scout settler squatter trailblazer

WEAK

frontier settler

VERB

invent; lay the groundwork

Synonyms

STRONG

begin colonize create develop discover establish explore found initiate instigate institute launch originate prepare spearhead start

WEAK

go out in front map out open up show the way take the lead trailblaze

Antonyms

STRONG

cease complete conclude destroy die end finish halt ignore neglect prevent ruin stop terminate

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.

The grocer was founded in 1966 by Japanese immigrants Michio and Aveline Kushi — pioneers of the natural-foods macrobiotic movement — who began selling imported organic goods out of their Boston home.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Described by some as spiritual guides or even family members, Joshua trees have inspired a wide range of artists and writers, from Indigenous people and pioneers to U2 and the creators of “Euphoria.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Baseball traditionally relied on rudimentary statistics and strategies, but pioneers like Bill James introduced complex metrics in the late 1970s to better evaluate player value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Investors can see the flood of money hitting OpenAI and Anthropic, pioneers in AI agents whose recent private funding rounds put their combined valuations at well over $1 trillion.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Even there, however, a few pioneers were managing to clear a path of sorts for other women to follow.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly