5
forerunner(noun, precursor)
5
harbinger(noun, precursor)
5
leader(noun, front)
5
liberal(adjective, moderate, new, sophisticated, modern)
5
new wave(noun, expression, adjective, new, modern)
5
pioneer(noun, adjective, leader, first, early)
5
preceding(noun, adjective, preceding, prelude)
5
state-of-the-art(adjective, new, sophisticated, current, modern)
5
up-to-date(adjective, new, current, tolerant, modern)
4
daring
4
precedent(noun, precursor)
4
predecessor(noun, precursor)
4
scout(noun, front, precursor)
4
trailblazer(noun, leader, radical, leftist, precursor)
4
ultramodern(adjective, unusual, modern, radical, advanced)
4
underground(adjective, secret, subversive)
4
up-to-the-minute(adjective, new, current, modern, radical)
3
ancestor(noun, precursor)
3
exploratory
3
far-out(adjective, unusual, strange, unique, eccentric)
11 years ago|9.2k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). avant-garde thesaurus. Retrieved September 27, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/avant-garde/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "avant-garde thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/avant-garde/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 27, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, avant-garde thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 27 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/avant-garde/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "avant-garde thesaurus" 14 April 2015. Web. 27 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/avant-garde/thesaurus/synonyms>