Synonym Chooser

How is the word system different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of system are fashion, manner, method, mode, and way. While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

When might fashion be a better fit than system?

While in some cases nearly identical to system, fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

How do manner and mode relate to one another, in the sense of system?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

When would method be a good substitute for system?

The words method and system can be used in similar contexts, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

When is it sensible to use mode instead of system?

The meanings of mode and system largely overlap; however, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

When can way be used instead of system?

The words way and system are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of system Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Fortunately, one of those admitted was filmmaker Werner Herzog, who was granted permission to bring small cameras into the subterranean limestone system to make a documentary. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 The federal agency responsible for administering the nation's immigration and naturalization system will now have enforcement agents for the first time. Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 Brooks Lee was drafted as a shortstop and came through the minor league system at the position, but moved off of it upon reaching the major league level in favor for Carlos Correa. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for system
Recent Examples of Synonyms for system
Noun
  • The company’s leadership also includes several figures with ties to the Biden administration, giving Anthropic the look of a Democratic insider network.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Thousands of London Underground staff—including drivers, signalers and maintenance workers—began rolling strike action on Sunday, triggering severe disruption across the city's subway network and threatening almost complete suspension of Tube services through Thursday.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The city also agreed to help remove legal blocks to the razing of the Odd Fellows Building, including possible landmark designation, once the hotel company figured out plans for the space.
    Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In 2021, Xi had announced plans for 10 Luban workshops in SCO countries over the next three years.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The college attributed increasing nonparticipating student counts to improved methods of tracking student participation.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Family members can use their own payment methods to make purchases.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The session will allow the Republicans to remove one of two remaining Democratic Congressional seats in the state, bringing another victory for Trump’s national redistricting strategy.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Maintaining control of the House will be vital for Vance’s strategy of securing his own political standing by racking up wins for Trump.
    Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Was the patient approach the right one?
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For aspiring thought leaders, this path offers a potent blueprint.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • That means the studio already has an awards campaign blueprint for Johnson to follow.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Parisian startup takes this official methodology and benchmarks it against hundreds of product scenarios per category (like jeans or T-shirts) drawn from the 50 million LCAs in Carbonfact’s database to build a realistic comparison.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • It's based on neuroscience as well as AI and Lean methodology.
    Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the email exchange with University of Texas faculty who were preparing a grant application for a federal methane-reduction program, Pruett blamed the increases on inadequate infrastructure to capture the gas.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The combined total number of students the college will serve in fall 2025 is 10,706 when factoring in these additional programs.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“System.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/system. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on system

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