trailblazer
Path-making innovator
A trailblazer is someone who creates a new path where none existed—originally through wilderness, now usually through fields of endeavor.
The word emphasizes being first: She was a trailblazer for women in medicine.
A trailblazer doesn't just succeed but opens the way for others to follow.
Imaginative planner of futures
- inventorCreator of original devices
- creatorOne who produces something
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
genius · breakthrough · game-changer · prototype · futurist · designer · engineer · originality
Carrier of a cause
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- heroOne admired for courage
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
vanguard · forerunner · exemplar · paragon · icon · inspiration · guide · standard-bearer
Settler of wild borders
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
- homesteaderOne who settles wilderness land
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- adventurerOne pursuing exciting exploits
scout · voyager · discoverer · prospector · wilderness · frontier · expedition · uncharted
Person with promotional reach
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
vogue · fashion-forward · hipster · groundbreaking · boundary-pushing · unconventional · bold · daring
visionary
Imaginative planner of futures
- inventorCreator of original devices
- creatorOne who produces something
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
disruptor · genius · breakthrough · game-changer · prototype · futurist · designer · engineer · originality · maverick
torchbearer
Carrier of a cause
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- heroOne admired for courage
mentor · vanguard · forerunner · exemplar · paragon · icon · inspiration · guide · standard-bearer · figurehead
frontiersman
Settler of wild borders
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
- homesteaderOne who settles wilderness land
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
adventurer · scout · voyager · discoverer · prospector · wilderness · frontier · expedition · uncharted · navigator
influencer
Person with promotional reach
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
cutting-edge · vogue · fashion-forward · hipster · groundbreaking · boundary-pushing · unconventional · bold · daring · edgy
- adventureadventure, quest, quests, exploration, explorers
- explorationexploration, explore, expedition, expeditions, voyage
- leadershipleadership styles, leader, leadership skills, boss, leading
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
- advocatesadvocate, activist, campaigner, crusader, defender
- frontierfrontier, pioneers, settlers, settler, homesteaders
trailblazerimitator
One who copies others
follower · copycat · plagiarist · mimic · clone
trailblazerfollower
One who supports another
latecomer · straggler · Johnny-come-lately · late adopter · tail-ender
trailblazertraditionalist
Adherent to established customs
conformist · conservative · reactionary · stick-in-the-mud · conventionalist
- trailblazing womenWomen forging new paths
trailblazing, trailblazers, trailblaze, trailblazed, trailblazes