Academic Dictionary
Home / Thesaurus / Van
Find the word that fits

Van: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy
26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
Start with the meaning

Van

The front of an army; the first line or leading column; also, the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →
48 useful connections shown 6 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 3

Camper 76% connected

One who lodges temporarily in a hut or camp.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words
Car 76% connected

A small vehicle moved on wheels; usually, one having but two wheels and drawn by one horse; a cart.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words
Truck 76% connected

A small wheel, as of a vehicle; specifically (Ord.), a small strong wheel, as of wood or iron, for a gun carriage.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Narrower term 1

Wagon 76% connected

A wheeled carriage; a vehicle on four wheels, and usually drawn by horses; especially, one used for carrying freight or merchandise.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 2

Caravan 92% connected

A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, organized and equipped for a long journey, or marching or traveling together, esp. through deserts an…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Vanguard 92% connected

The troops who march in front of an army; the advance guard; the van.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Abacus noun · 78% connection

The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See Column.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Aggression noun · 78% connection

The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; unprovoked attack; ass…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Alignment noun · 78% connection

The act of adjusting to a line; arrangement in a line or lines; the state of being so adjusted; a formation in a straight line; also,…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Antero- unknown · 78% connection

A combining form meaning anterior, front; as, antero-posterior, front and back; antero-lateral, front side, anterior and at the side.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Architrave noun · 78% connection

The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column, esp. in classical architecture. See Column.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Armada verb · 78% connection

A fleet of armed ships; a squadron. Specifically, the Spanish fleet which was sent to assail England, a. d. 1558.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Barque noun · 78% connection

Formerly, any small sailing vessel, as a pinnace, fishing smack, etc.; also, a rowing boat; a barge. Now applied poetically to a saili…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Column noun · 78% connection

Anything resembling, in form or position, a column in architecture; an upright body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a column of air,…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Countermarch noun · 78% connection

An evolution by which a body of troops change front or reverse the direction of march while retaining the same men in the front rank;…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Defeat verb · 78% connection

An overthrow, as of an army in battle; loss of a battle; repulse suffered; discomfiture; -- opposed to victory.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Deploy v. t. & i. · 78% connection

To open out; to unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in such a way that they shall display a wider front and less depth; -- the re…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Embattle verb · 78% connection

To arrange in order of battle; to array for battle; also, to prepare or arm for battle; to equip as for battle.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
First adjective · 78% connection

Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
First-class adjective · 78% connection

Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first division; of the best quality; first-rate; as, a first-class telescope.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Fission noun · 78% connection

A method of asexual reproduction among the lowest (unicellular) organisms by means of a process of self-division, consisting of gradua…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Flank noun · 78% connection

The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to attack…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Flotilla noun · 78% connection

A little fleet, or a fleet of small vessels.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
Foremost adjective · 78% connection

First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: front, army, first, line, leading.
Definition Compare
All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.

Dictionary Definitions and meanings Thesaurus Synonyms with nuance Academic writing Evidence and analysis Professional Workplace vocabulary Word origins Etymology and roots Subjects Specialist dictionaries Word clusters Connected vocabulary Word similarity Compare two words Crossword Play with vocabulary