Trailblazer
First through wilderness
A trailblazer is someone who pioneers a new path—originally through wilderness, now usually through ideas, methods, or social change.
The word emphasizes being first: She was a trailblazer for women in science.
A trailblazer clears the way for others to follow, combining courage with lasting influence.
One who discovers routes
- frontiersmanSettler of wild borders
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
innovator · groundbreaker · vanguard · forerunner · scout · adventurer · expeditioner · colonist
Imaginative planner of futures
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- inventorCreator of original devices
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
maverick · changemaker · trendsetter · originator · creator · genius · breakthrough · startup
Top competitor, or advocate
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- crusaderZealous advocate for change
- reformerAgent of institutional improvement
- leaderOne who guides others
movement · equality · justice · glass ceiling · civil rights · suffragette · Rosa Parks · Harriet Tubman
Route for traveling
- markingIndicating with symbols
- routePath from A to B
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
bushwhacking · navigation · compass · waypoint · cairn · signpost · clearing · machete
pathfinder
One who discovers routes
- frontiersmanSettler of wild borders
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
pioneer · innovator · groundbreaker · vanguard · forerunner · scout · adventurer · expeditioner · colonist · homesteader
visionary
Imaginative planner of futures
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- inventorCreator of original devices
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
revolutionary · maverick · changemaker · trendsetter · originator · creator · genius · breakthrough · startup · founder
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- crusaderZealous advocate for change
- reformerAgent of institutional improvement
leader · movement · equality · justice · glass ceiling · civil rights · suffragette · Rosa Parks · Harriet Tubman · Nelson Mandela
path
Route for traveling
- markingIndicating with symbols
- routePath from A to B
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
backcountry · bushwhacking · navigation · compass · waypoint · cairn · signpost · clearing · machete · undergrowth
- Outdoor MagazinesSierra, Yachting, Mountain, Trailhead
- HersheyparkFahrenheit, Great Bear, Comet, Midway, Frontier
- Salesforceaccounts, contacts, leads, opportunities, cases
- crossoverscrossover hit, crossover appeal, crossover star, crossover episode, genre crossover
- Australian carsHolden, Commodore, Falcon, Ford Falcon, Calais
Trailblazerfollower
One who supports another
imitator · copycat · disciple · conformist · latecomer
Trailblazertraditionalist
Adherent to established customs
conservative · stick-in-the-mud · reactionary · dinosaur · old guard
Trailblazerlaggard
One falling behind
late adopter · straggler · latecomer · holdout · rear guard
- trailblazing womenWomen forging new paths