cutting-edge
At technology's forefront
Cutting-edge describes something at the forefront of development or innovation, representing the most advanced stage of a technology, field, or practice.
The term derives from the sharp leading edge of a blade—the part that does the actual work.
Cutting-edge research in gene therapy or cutting-edge design suggests methods or ideas that are newer and more sophisticated than what currently exists.
The hyphenated form is standard when used as an adjective before a noun.
Using newest innovations
- state-of-the-artMost technologically advanced available
- next-genUpcoming iteration, informally
- ultramodernExtremely advanced in style
- futuristicSuggestive of times ahead
sophisticated · advanced · breakthrough · innovation · digital · smart · automated · disruptive
Introducing radical new ideas
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- trailblazingBeing the first through
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
inventive · original · novel · unprecedented · visionary · disruptive · transformative · game-changing
Innovative cultural pioneers
- forefrontMost prominent position
- frontierEdge of settlement
- leadingGuiding or pacing type
- forerunnerOne that comes before
precursor · spearhead · pathfinder · trendsetter · front-runner · first-mover · forward-thinking · progressive
high-tech
Using newest innovations
- state-of-the-artMost technologically advanced available
- next-genUpcoming iteration, informally
- ultramodernExtremely advanced in style
futuristic · sophisticated · advanced · breakthrough · innovation · digital · smart · automated · disruptive · emerging
groundbreaking
Introducing radical new ideas
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- trailblazingBeing the first through
pioneering · inventive · original · novel · unprecedented · visionary · disruptive · transformative · game-changing · first-of-its-kind
avant-garde
Innovative cultural pioneers
forerunner · precursor · spearhead · pathfinder · trendsetter · front-runner · first-mover · forward-thinking · progressive · modernist
trendy
Currently in vogue
fashionable · modish · contemporary · sleek · designer · runway · edgy · bold · fresh · modern
- newnew, fresh, newest, brand-new, newly
- buzzwordssynergy, leverage, paradigm, stakeholder, scalable
- creative traitscreative, imaginative, inventive, innovative, original
- fashion trendsvintage fashion, retro fashion, retro style, vintage, retro
- futuristicfuturistic, holograms, holographic, space age, robots
- innovationinnovation, invention, innovative, innovate, breakthrough
cutting-edgeobsolete
No longer in use
outdated · antiquated · archaic · outmoded · behind the times
cutting-edgeold-fashioned
Belonging to earlier times
unfashionable · dated · unstylish · passé · out of style
cutting-edgeconventional
Following accepted practices
traditional · established · tried-and-true · conservative · safe
edge, cutting, edges, edged, cutter, edging, vanguard, cutters, cutting edge