1
as in lends
to give to another for temporary use with the understanding that it or a like thing will be returned
advanced her some cash with the understanding that the amount would be deducted from her first paycheck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
great thinkers who did much to advance modern science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in progresses
to move forward along a course
as the technology advances, electronic devices keep getting smaller and smarter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in upgrades
to move higher in rank or position
within six months was advanced to the position of head waiter, to the dismay of the waiters who had been there much longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in proposes
to set before the mind for consideration
let me explain my reasons for advancing this proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in advancements
forward movement in time or place
during her long convalescence, the housebound woman was barely aware of the advance of the seasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in improvements
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill
under her new teacher, the aspiring violinist has made noticeable advances in her technique in just a few weeks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 advances
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet when used to scan Indigenous lands and ancestral remains, this powerful technology often advances a more troubling, extractive agenda.
—Christopher Hernandez, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Instead, set up a meeting with a senior leader to ask their advice on an issue that advances their goals.
—Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Russia has suffered more troop deaths than any major power since World War II, yet advances only 49-230 feet daily in a grinding war of attrition.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Reihan Salam – Salam is president of the Manhattan Institute, a research and advocacy organization that advances opportunity, individual liberty and the rule of law in America and its great cities.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Pegula advances to an all-American quarterfinal against Amanda Anisimova.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The donation also advances North Texas’ overall Better Look North donation campaign, which has a goal of $100 million.
—Samuel O’Neal 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
The moment advances the romantic tension between the two teens in a major way, and director James Bobin previously teased that the scene would appear in the first episode of Season 3.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The scientists noted that RHIC’s experiments drove advances in superconducting magnets, particle detectors, data storage, and high-performance computing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
By the end of this year, advances in the P1-Sun’s communication software will allow the Ukrainian armed forces to position the units around the country, ready to launch from a distance whenever radar detects an incoming fleet of attack drones overhead.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
And like athletes in most sports, skaters have gotten a boost from advances in nutrition science, strength and conditioning practices, physical therapy, and injury prevention.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
Predatory lenders and loan sharks offer merchant cash advances.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The ruling advances Chiles toward resolving a dispute marked by errors that cost her the floor exercise bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Games.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet when used to scan Indigenous lands and ancestral remains, this powerful technology often advances a more troubling, extractive agenda.
—Christopher Hernandez, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Instead, set up a meeting with a senior leader to ask their advice on an issue that advances their goals.
—Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Russia has suffered more troop deaths than any major power since World War II, yet advances only 49-230 feet daily in a grinding war of attrition.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Reihan Salam – Salam is president of the Manhattan Institute, a research and advocacy organization that advances opportunity, individual liberty and the rule of law in America and its great cities.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Pegula advances to an all-American quarterfinal against Amanda Anisimova.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The donation also advances North Texas’ overall Better Look North donation campaign, which has a goal of $100 million.
—Samuel O’Neal 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
The moment advances the romantic tension between the two teens in a major way, and director James Bobin previously teased that the scene would appear in the first episode of Season 3.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Recent advances in language processing allow computers to digest vast and rapidly expanding bodies of medical research.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The scientists noted that RHIC’s experiments drove advances in superconducting magnets, particle detectors, data storage, and high-performance computing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
By the end of this year, advances in the P1-Sun’s communication software will allow the Ukrainian armed forces to position the units around the country, ready to launch from a distance whenever radar detects an incoming fleet of attack drones overhead.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
And like athletes in most sports, skaters have gotten a boost from advances in nutrition science, strength and conditioning practices, physical therapy, and injury prevention.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
Predatory lenders and loan sharks offer merchant cash advances.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advances
Verb
-
International visitors can only access Mustique via air charter run by the company that manages the island, which lends the island a feeling of absolute privacy.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Adding a bit of vertical structure to your vegetable garden not only helps support your plants but also defines the space and lends visual interest.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Come Near, a nonprofit that promotes dialogue around Jesus, took over the campaign in 2024.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The annual Congressional App Challenge promotes youth participation in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
TxDOT will keep working on the new RM 2871 Longvue Avenue bridge and other improvements tied to the broader rebuild, which means more lane shifts and temporary closures are possible as the project progresses through 2026.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As the week progresses, a front of Arctic air will trek through the Great Lakes region and into the Northeast and is set to bring snow squalls, high winds and freezing temperatures, forecasters said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bank of America upgrades Five Below to buy from underperform Bank of America says the turnaround is working for Five Below.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Network upgrades that speed up transactions and reduce costs eliminate real-world barriers that keep people from using blockchain platforms.—
Matthew Kayser,
Freep.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The rules of the federal low-income housing tax credit program currently apply, while the revision proposes using the less restrictive Section 8 criteria.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The governor proposes a balanced budget, and the General Assembly scrutinizes every line.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And like the hairpin turns in the production all across the album, Jah-Monte approaches themes from different angles and pivots without breaking a sweat.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Vani Sayeed approaches projects with an artist’s eye and a deep appreciation for design history.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to Chinese experts, such events highlight the country’s technological prowess and advancements in robotics, including their applications.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Despite significant advancements in medical research, a troubling disparity persists in funding allocated to women-specific medical research.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bill would also create a new program for water conveyance improvements, providing funding to upgrade aging infrastructure and build new facilities needed to move water supplies.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Some research suggests collagen supplementation may result in small improvements in skin hydration or elasticity.—
LeeAnn Weintraub,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Advances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advances. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
