explore vs pioneer

explore is not a noun while pioneer is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
explore	No	No	Yes	No
pioneer	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, pioneer is a hyponym of explore; that is, pioneer is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than explore:

Other hyponyms of explore include cave, spelunk, map.

explore (noun)	pioneer (noun)
	one of the first colonists or settlers in a new territory
	someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art

explore (verb)	pioneer (verb)
inquire into	open up and explore a new area
travel to or penetrate into	open up an area or prepare a way
inquire into a subject in detail	take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes