cutting edges

noun

plural of cutting edge
1
as in vanguards
the innovators of new concepts, styles, and techniques especially in the arts an urban enclave that has an established reputation for being hospitable to artists who are part of the cutting edge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leading edges
the leading or most important part of a movement a company that has always been on the cutting edge of the new electronic media

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cutting edges With no sharp cutting edges, the Vulyx is claimed to be TSA-compliant. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 2 July 2026 But over time, the cutting edges on a drill bit will wear down, causing materials start to splinter, leading to chipped wood or damaged walls. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 5 June 2026 Surprisingly, it was found that stingers use a distinct layering of zinc at the tip, followed by manganese, while pincers are reinforced with zinc and iron specifically along their cutting edges. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Apr. 2026 Sharpen mower blades when the cutting edges begin to dull. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026 So it was decreed that the cutting edges of knives should be turned towards their owners, thus symbolizing their peaceful intent. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting edges
  1. vanguards
  2. leading edges
  3. pioneers
  4. front lines
  5. vans
  6. forefronts
Noun
  • The great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The once-insurgent vanguards who cast their first votes for Barack Obama have relinquished their cool factor to Gen Z, who will one day undergo the same process themselves as time continues its relentless march forward.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of vanguards
Noun
  • The company will evaluate applications for nose cones, fins, leading edges, bulkheads, and other high-performance structures that require precision and durability.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
  • Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of leading edges
Noun
  • By the 1980s, the generation that had once marched on the Pentagon had become the yuppie class—homeowners, 401(k) pioneers, the cohort that built the modern investor class.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The true pioneers are jonesing for a jab of the stuff, and a raft of entrepreneurs are jostling to become the go-to providers of this bleeding-edge therapy.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pioneers
Noun
  • In their 2013 biography Salinger, David Shields and Shane Salerno posit that Catcher was deeply informed by Salinger’s experience on the front lines.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • My concern was staying on the front lines and preventing any more damage.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of front lines
Noun
  • The policy does say the tactic should not be used on trucks carrying hazardous materials, pickup trucks with passengers in the bed of the truck, vans or buses occupied with passengers who appear to be victims or motorcycles.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For its part, Wellhouse is importing older second- and third-generation vans, which were produced between 2010 and 2020.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of vans
Noun
  • One of the real forefronts in the field right now is figuring out how to solve the delivery problem for all these other tissue types.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026
  • Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.
    — Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of forefronts

Browse Nearby Words

cutting edge
cutting edges
cutting horse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cutting edges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20edges. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All