pilot 1 of 3

noun

ˈpī-lət How to pronounce pilot (audio)
Definition of pilotnext
as in aviator
one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pilot

2 of 3

adjective

as in experimental
made or done as an experiment a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pilot

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed piloted the figure skater through the national championships

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front the lead rider piloted the rest of the team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to navigate
to operate or control the course of managed to pilot the plane to safety despite the failure of the left engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pilot contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pilot are engineer, guide, lead, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When could engineer be used to replace pilot?

The words engineer and pilot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

In what contexts can guide take the place of pilot?

While the synonyms guide and pilot are close in meaning, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would lead be a reasonable alternative to pilot?

In some situations, the words lead and pilot are roughly equivalent. However, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is it sensible to use steer instead of pilot?

The synonyms steer and pilot are sometimes interchangeable, but steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

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 pilot
Noun
City officials decided the pilot program was limited enough to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, but staff is watching to see whether the spray has any adverse effects on local plants and animals. — Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the crash was due primarily to the pilots’ inappropriate response to stall warnings. — Ted Reed, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel was released in 2019 on YouTube, but the first season premiered on Jan. 18 on Amazon Prime. — Xander Zellner, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024 Both Macdonald and Hsu were eyed for the pilot role that went to Polanco, but they were cast in later episodes. — Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023
Verb
When the Cincinnati Reds open their Cactus League season Saturday in Goodyear, Ariz., don’t expect to see too many players challenge a ball or strike call via the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) being piloted by Major League Baseball this spring. — C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 The series piloted in 1965 and debuted in its entirety on the same network in 1966. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pilot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilot
  1. aviator
  2. experimental
  3. guide
  4. steer
  5. navigate
  6. developmental
  7. coach
  8. show
Noun
  • Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with aviator John Shoffner as pilot and two mission specialist seats paid for by the Saudi Space Commission, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni.
    — Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • So for the fall, creative director Émilie Arnault drew inspiration on a person who spent his life between both: French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
    — Lily Templeton, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of aviator
Adjective
  • Taara is the latest project to spring from X—Alphabet’s experimental hub that produced AI lab Google Brain and Waymo’s self-driving cars—and has its origins in a concept called Loon.
    — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who piloted Boeing's experimental Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, were supposed to be away from Earth for about eight days.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of experimental
Verb
  • The same link above will guide you to what Amazon is selling, with the same $100 price drop, which is the same as a 23% discount on the pricier larger model.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • But Trump’s belief, his hunch, that Putin can be trusted and wants peace, is now guiding US policy, and rewriting America’s role in the largest war in Europe since the 1940s.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of guide
Verb
  • Yet one of the most important beneficiaries has been the medical field, where F1’s ability to steer change is well established.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Carney will visit Paris and London to strengthen alliances and discuss economic diversification, while steering clear of Washington for now.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of steer
Verb
  • The event challenges participating teams to navigate a 4-to-6-mile course, featuring 15 unique obstacles while raising funds for worthy organizations.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The couple are still navigating a bi-coastal relationship, with Madix based in Los Angeles and Wai working as a fitness coach in New York City.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of navigate
Adjective
  • By offering personalized support, educators guide each child on individualized learning paths that meet their unique developmental needs, with particular attention given to children with disabilities.
    — Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This can cause developmental delays, heart defects, deafness and cataracts.
    — Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of developmental
Verb
  • Mike Macdonald went as far as to say Seattle could win a championship with Smith, and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said the opportunity to coach Smith is one of the reasons he was attracted to Seattle.
    — The Athletic NFL Staff and more, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Six decades into his career, coaching still fuels Weinstein.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of coach
Verb
  • The first detailed nationwide data on schools’ recovery shows that achievement gaps have widened, with the poorest students the furthest behind.
    — Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The Peaky Blinders‘ creator, Steven Knight, is hopeful the upcoming film will be shown on the silver screen.
    — Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of show

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Cite this Entry

“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilot. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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