proceed

verb

pro·​ceed prō-ˈsēd How to pronounce proceed (audio)
prə-
proceeded; proceeding; proceeds

intransitive verb

1
: to come forth from a source : issue
strange sounds proceeded from the room
2
a
: to continue after a pause or interruption
b
: to go on in an orderly regulated way
3
a
: to begin and carry on an action, process, or movement
b
: to be in the process of being accomplished
the work is proceeding well
4
: to move along a course : advance
Choose the Right Synonym for proceed

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of proceed in a Sentence

Tenet's problem is that the intelligence and the war proceeded in lockstep: no intelligence, no war. Thomas Powers, New York Review of Books, 19 July 2007
But we're both gasping, and proceed to play the ugliest, slowest game in history. S. L. Price, Sports Illustrated, 31 Dec. 2007
That ash includes light particles that strong winds proceed to carry over much of the country … Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005
After the interruption, she proceeded with her presentation. “Before we proceed further, does anyone have any questions?” We will proceed according to plan. We may not be able to proceed as planned. The problems have been fixed and the work can now proceed. All passengers must proceed to the baggage claim area. The crowd proceeded toward the exits. The troops proceeded north along the river.
Recent Examples on the Web Their jagged edges fit together as neatly as pieces of a puzzle, and Lily’s growth proceeds with few of the stops and starts and backslides that tend to mark even the healthiest evolutions in real life. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 On the flip side, this is a strong ingredient, and beginners should proceed with caution when adding to their routines. Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 Libman’s case will proceed in State Bar court, which adjudicates attorneys’ conduct and ethical issues, with potential penalties including disbarment or temporary suspension from practicing law. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Congress has been pushing the military in recent years to investigate whether the blasts from repeatedly firing heavy weapons cause brain damage, but the military has proceeded at a halting pace that has yielded few changes in the field. Dave Philipps, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 When the Oscars are handed out on Sunday, then, some of the presentations will proceed with the inevitability of a coronation. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2024 Bad leaders who are not slowed or stopped during Phase II will proceed to Phase III. Barbara Kellerman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Guerra was not protected by qualified immunity, the court said, and the case ought to proceed. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 Davenport's facility, in Huntsville, is proceeding to offer the treatment but plans to fertilize fewer eggs in order to avoid the risks associated with discarding unused embryos. Riley Griffin, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proceed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English proceden, from Anglo-French proceder, from Latin procedere, from pro- forward + cedere to go — more at pro-

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proceed was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proceed

Cite this Entry

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proceed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proceed

verb
pro·​ceed prō-ˈsēd How to pronounce proceed (audio)
prə-
1
: to come from a source
2
a
: to continue after a pause or interruption
b
: to go or act by an orderly method
3
a
: to carry on an action, process, or movement
b
: to be in the process of being done
the work is proceeding well
4
: to go forward or onward : advance

More from Merriam-Webster on proceed

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