Direct Opposites:
* Follower: Someone who comes after a pioneer, adopting their innovations or paths.
* Laggard: Someone who is slow to adopt new ideas or technologies, falling behind the pioneer.
* Traditionalist: Someone who resists change and prefers established ways, the antithesis of a pioneer who embraces new possibilities.
Indirect Opposites:
* Conservative: Someone who is cautious about change and prefers the status quo.
* Stagnant: Something that is inactive or unchanging, the opposite of a pioneering spirit that seeks progress.
* Established: Something that is well-known and firmly established, the opposite of something new and groundbreaking.
Contextual Opposites:
* If the pioneer is a trailblazer, the opposite might be a roadblock.
* If the pioneer is a visionary, the opposite might be a conformist.
The best opposite for "pioneer" will depend on the specific situation you are considering.