Entry Word: advance

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 forward movement in time or place <during her long convalescence, Penny was barely aware of the advance of the seasons>

Synonyms advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process, procession, progress, progression

Related Words current, drift, flow, flux, stream, way; advent, approach, arrival, coming, nearing; bound, jump, leap, step, stride; impetus, momentum

Near Antonyms backwash, ebb, reflux; retraction, retreat, return, reversal, reverse; about-face, turnabout, turnaround

Antonyms recession, regression, retrogression

2 an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill <with her new violin teacher, Nadia has made noticeable advances in her technique in just a few weeks>

Synonyms advancement, breakthrough, enhancement, improvement, refinement

Related Words amelioration, boost, heightening, increase, melioration, strengthening, upgrade, uplift, upswing, uptrend, upturn; betterment, evolution, maturation, perfection, ripening; civilization, edification, education, enlightenment; renaissance, renascence, revival; discovery, find, windfall; innovation, invention

Near Antonyms breakdown, collapse, crash; hindrance, impediment, stumbling block; decline, decrease, deterioration, diminishment, failing, flagging, languishment, lapse, lessening, reduction, sinking, slowing, weakening, worsening; detriment, disablement, drawback, glitch, impairment, shortcoming

Antonyms setback