cutting edge

noun

Synonyms of cutting edgenext
1
: a sharp effect or quality
2
: the foremost part or place : vanguard
cutting-edge
ˈkə-tiŋ-ˌej How to pronounce cutting edge (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of cutting edge

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Examples of cutting edge in a Sentence

a company that has always been on the cutting edge of the new electronic media He's a director who tries to keep his films right on the cutting edge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Roman won’t be on the cutting edge for long, because NASA is already designing the next space telescope. — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Los Gatos High School teacher David Homa has been on the cutting edge of classroom technology for years. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 For the past couple of years, Magdeleine Bradford-Butcher has been living on the cutting edge of science. — Anil Oza, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 The obsolete buildings are gone, Zurich fills up vacant space, and his village remains on the cutting edge. — Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cutting edge

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutting edge was in 1804

Rhymes for cutting edge

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Browse Nearby Words

cutting board
cutting edge
cutting fluid
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Cite this Entry

“Cutting edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutting%20edge. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cutting edge

noun
1
: the sharp edge of a cutting tool
2
: the newest and most advanced area of an activity
cutting-edge adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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