as in aviators
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
Relevance
1
as in guides
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 steers
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pilots
Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
After all, a recent MIT study found that 95% of generative AI pilots have not met the mark.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
The pilots tended to operate from a safe distance, hunting their targets through computer screens or virtual reality goggles.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
This interstate highway in the sky will connect Charlotte and Atlanta, providing innovators, pilots, and regulators with real-world experience in AAM operations.
—Peter Welch, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Should older pilots be allowed to keep flying passenger planes?
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Purdue 1 will carry five passengers to and from suborbital space, along with two pilots.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
What followed was five years of lab work, material-science advances, and pilots in Quebec and California.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
After no immediate response, the controller chastised the pilots again.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Watch On For each mission simulation, one astronaut pilots the aircraft while another charts the landing area, marking key landmarks, identifying potential hazards and helping to track the flight path.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Lane says that keeping the door open also helps pilots speak to each other and staff members more quickly before the flight deck is sealed for the ride.
—Verb
Maito then pilots one of these robots, called Gaine, and teams up with other mecha to take down the real evil Nouvelle Tokyo City.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilots
Noun
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In the original novel, also called Goldfinger, Galore is the leader of an all-female team of aviators known as Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus.—
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These moments aren’t staged—they’re glimpses into the culture of young aviators living life on the edge of discipline and rebellion.—
Verb
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The facial begins with a medical probe, administered by a Dior aesthetician, that measures your skin’s levels of hydration, elasticity, and collagen—and guides what Akram does next.—
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The Scorpio moon guides you to encounters that offer gentle expansion.—
Verb
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How exactly this occurs will shape the way the atmosphere steers the developing storm.—
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But Carey steers the song into an interesting detour.—
Verb
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Then, coaches Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg.—
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Spencer is a veteran who is in the Navy Reserves and also coaches youth baseball teams, according to the GiveSendGo post.—
Verb
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The web page now routes users to the university’s Center for Connection Culture.—
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LanzaTech’s process routes industrial gases into special bioreactors containing anaerobic bacteria which consume carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen and produce ethanol, using a fermentation process similar to that of yeast.—
Verb
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Two no-trump shows some interest in game and asks about partner's second suit as well as his strength.—
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Video from the scene shows dark billowing smoke rising into the air and multiple firetrucks working to extinguish the fire.—
Cite this Entry
“Pilots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilots. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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