pace-setting
Setting the standard
Pace-setting describes something or someone that establishes a standard others follow.
A pace-setting company leads its industry in innovation or performance.
A pace-setting runner determines the speed of a race.
The term implies being at the front, with others measuring themselves against you: Their pace-setting research transformed the field.
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- game-changingFundamentally altering outcomes
transformative · revolutionary · disruptive · state-of-the-art · next-generation · trailblazing · avant-garde · futuristic
Likely winner
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- vanguardForemost position or group
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
pathfinder · spearhead · pacesetter · bellwether · standard-bearer · torchbearer · guide · captain
Level of quality accepted
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- baselineStandard for comparison
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
metric · criterion · gauge · norm · measure · indicator · threshold · target
Initiating popular movements
- fashionableCurrently in style
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- chicTasteful, current flair
- stylishFashionably elegant
hip · edgy · contemporary · modern · sleek · cool · fresh · iconic
Utmost summit or spire
- epitomePerfect representative of type
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
best-in-class · world-class · top-tier · elite · premier · leading-edge · superlative · outstanding
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
game-changing · transformative · revolutionary · disruptive · state-of-the-art · next-generation · trailblazing · avant-garde · futuristic · visionary
front-runner
Likely winner
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- vanguardForemost position or group
- forerunnerOne that comes before
pioneer · pathfinder · spearhead · pacesetter · bellwether · standard-bearer · torchbearer · guide · captain · navigator
standard
Level of quality accepted
reference · metric · criterion · gauge · norm · measure · indicator · threshold · target · calibration
trendsetting
Initiating popular movements
- fashionableCurrently in style
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- chicTasteful, current flair
stylish · hip · edgy · contemporary · modern · sleek · cool · fresh · iconic · tastemaking
pinnacle
Utmost summit or spire
- epitomePerfect representative of type
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
superiority · best-in-class · world-class · top-tier · elite · premier · leading-edge · superlative · outstanding · exceptional
pace-settingfollowing
Coming after another
trailing · lagging · bringing up the rear · tagging along · follower
pace-settingimitative
Copying others' style
derivative · copycat · unoriginal · behind the curve · me-too
pace, paces, paced, pacing, pacer, pacers, sets, setter, setters