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pioneer

pioneer

113 4.2
A person among the first to develop new ideas or ways of doing things
  • noun
  • /ˈpaɪəˌnɪr/
translation icon : pionero
  • Ged is a big fan of Alfred Russel Wallace, pioneer of the theory of natural selection.
  • early pioneers
  • pioneer work
  • pioneer in the field

She was a remarkable scientist and pioneer in all kinds of ways.

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Examples

  • My friend Oliver Selfridge, who died recently, was a pioneer in cybernetics and AI.

  • Carol Gilligan is one of the early pioneers of this.

  • And I think that you both would be surprised about those two pioneer women.

  • We need pioneers to see how this can all come together.

  • But while Rosenthal should get credit for being a pioneer, he should not stand alone.

    Academic text (2017)
  • In this issue, we are fortunate to welcome a pioneer in readers' advisory.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She was a remarkable scientist and pioneer in all kinds of ways.

  • The Atari 2600 was the pioneer in home video game systems.

  • Shamans appear to have been the first pioneers to systematically explore and use these resources.

    Academic text (1990)
  • She was a pioneer in the field of renewable energy, developing innovative solutions for sustainable power.

Synonyms

inventor
vspioneer
108 3.0

A person who makes a new thing that was not there before

is less focused on creating objects and more on early development or application
innovator
vspioneer
38 4.3

A person who creates new ideas or ways of doing things

is similar but can also mean simply applying new methods early rather than inventing
adopter
vspioneer
16 3.9

A person or company who starts using a new product before most people

is more about initiating or developing new methods rather than just early use
originator
vspioneer
14 4.9

A person who creates a new idea, plan, or process

includes originating but also covers those who first apply existing innovations
pathfinder
vspioneer
12 6.8

A person who finds a safe way through unknown or difficult land

is broader and applies to creating or using new methods in many fields
trailblazer
vspioneer
12 6.8

A person who first develops new ideas or methods in a field

covers that leadership but also includes early adopters who apply existing ideas
groundbreaker
vspioneer
2 6.9

A person who introduces new ideas or ways in a field

is the neutral term for any early developer or user of new methods
pacemaker
vspioneer
1 5.5

A person or group that sets a new standard for others

can include that leading achievement but also means early developers or users
pathbreaker
vspioneer
1 6.7

A person who does something new that others copy

is wider, applying to anyone among the first to develop or use methods
conceiver
vspioneer
1 8.0

A person who creates new ideas or plans

is broader, including both original thinkers and early practical users
pacesetter
vspioneer
1 6.7

A person or thing that others copy because it shows new successful ideas

is similar but also applies to broader first development or application roles
chalutzim
vspioneer
9.9

People who try new ideas and lead the way for others

has the same meaning but is the general English term rather than a specific name
chalutz
vspioneer
9.9

A person who is among the first to try new ideas

has the same sense but is the broader, non‑specific English label
halutz
vspioneer
9.9

A person who is among the first to try new ideas or methods

focuses on both creating and applying new methods rather than only inventing
voortrekker
vspioneer
  • South African
9.9

A person who is among the first to begin a new activity or idea

is the general label for anyone early in developing or applying new methods

Antonyms

295 1.6

A person who supports a leader and accepts their direction

9 3.4

A person who copies another person's words, actions, or style

How Innovative

revolutionary
143 4.9
trailblazer
12 6.8
pioneer
113 4.2
innovator
38 4.3

Surface Forms

pioneer singular
pioneers plural

Etymology

Pioneer comes from an old French word pionnier meaning 'foot soldier' or worker who went ahead to clear the way. So a pioneer is someone who goes first to try new ideas or methods, making it easier for others.