proceed

verb

pro·​ceed prō-ˈsēd 

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

Synonyms of proceed

• do
• progress
• go
• come
• march

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

Buckingham Palace announced Sunday that the visit would proceed as previously planned. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

As much as any juncture this season, two days in Mexico City reinforced why the Padres can proceed with at least cautious optimism. —Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

The theater also said Saturday that the cast had decided to proceed with the Saturday night show in DeCaro’s honor. —Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Facing an awkward bunker shot from 35 yards to a back pin where a miss long is death, Matt proceeded to knock it to 14 inches. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing proceed

• proceed against
• proceed from

Rhymes for proceed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids Definition

proceed

verb

pro·​ceed prō-ˈsēd 

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