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

• 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

The railroad’s willingness to pay the bill, including slimming down its own office payroll to free up more funds, appears to have limited the reputational damage enough for serious merger talks to proceed on down the tracks. —Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

The purpose of the hearing in Osage County was for a judge to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence against Morris to proceed to trial, otherwise known as determining probable cause. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025

Once an appellate brief is filed, the Court of Appeals must decide how the case proceeds, as was previously reported. —Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Both retirement and disability benefits proceed without interruptions. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

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