1
as in apparatus
a mechanical part or group of parts used to perform a specific task
The printer's paper feeding mechanism is jammed.
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2
as in system
a series of actions used to achieve an end
She was stunned to learn that there was no mechanism in place to remedy the problem.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mechanism
According to a letter sent by the Dutch foreign and health ministers to parliament late Friday, Spain has activated the EU civil protection mechanism for a medical evacuation plane equipped for infectious diseases to be on standby in case anyone on the ship becomes ill.
—
Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
The core of the Rocket is its quick release system—a one-step height-adjustment mechanism activated by a single press of the hand lever.
—Robb Rice, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
Besides the basic ABCs, Gutierrez encouraged cyclists to check the quick releases on their wheels to ensure the mechanism does not come loose and release the wheel while biking.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
Regarding skin longevity, back in 2008, Clarins was first to tackle one of the longevity biological mechanisms, preserving skin microcirculation and nerve endings.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
The core of the Rocket is its quick release system—a one-step height-adjustment mechanism activated by a single press of the hand lever.
—Robb Rice, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
Besides the basic ABCs, Gutierrez encouraged cyclists to check the quick releases on their wheels to ensure the mechanism does not come loose and release the wheel while biking.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
Regarding skin longevity, back in 2008, Clarins was first to tackle one of the longevity biological mechanisms, preserving skin microcirculation and nerve endings.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanism
Noun
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All tall tasks, since the octopus-like Republican apparatus behind these pathologies entrenched over decades.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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The villain-combo movie would put the breathing-apparatus Batman baddie, Bane, back on screen for his first appearance since 2012’s Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight Rises, then portrayed by Tom Hardy.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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Regions with steady, low-fluctuation light signal stable systems.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
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That data only reflects damage caused by airstrikes, drone attacks and remote and improvised explosive device, or IED, explosions.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
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That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
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That trustworthiness is further strengthened by understanding how digital health research differs from traditional methods.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Soaking sunflower seeds before planting can help with germination as this method softens the naturally hard outer layer of the seed.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The actress continued to argue there are limits to what machines can replicate.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Yet masculinism also functions as a perpetual-motion machine of grievance, an inarticulate howl of anguish at the status quo—whatever that currently is.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The surrogacy process has safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all parties involved.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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The White House is optimistic that Republicans can pass a third party-line bill through the reconciliation process this year to secure funding for national security and parts of a GOP election integrity bill that has stalled, according to White House legislative director James Braid.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The proposal also requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the month-long period – arguably one of Iran’s strongest tools of leverage against the United States in the ongoing war.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Gray stone, wooden beams, iron tools.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Clark spent six weeks at the beginning of this school year setting up and practicing classroom routines and procedures with her students.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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The report made a number of policy recommendations around Taser use, including that the weapons continue to be restricted to incidents where suspects take aggressive action, and that the police department formalize a procedure for public input on such changes.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanism. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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