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
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, advances to the NCAA Championship game by squeezing past DePaul 76-74.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The other four participating teams (Bolivia, Suriname, New Caledonia and Jamaica) will play in two semifinals to determine who advances to play in the finals.
—José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The winner advances to the Sweet 16.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
With the win, Missouri State advances into a first-round showdown with Texas that will take place at the same venue on Friday afternoon.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The winner advances to play the winner of second-seed Purdue against 15th-seed Queens on Sunday.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
The story of this breakthrough reminds me that science often advances through unexpected results.
—J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
If UConn advances to the Elite Eight, Auriemma could go head-to-head with a former player and assistant in Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled militaries and intelligence agencies to sift through vast amounts of surveillance footage and identify targets.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.
—Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Sometimes the most interesting engineering advances start from an idea everyone else scrolled past.
—Omar Kardoudi
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
At the same time, another Chinese giant, BYD reported advances in its third-generation sodium-ion platform, with cycle life reaching up to 10,000 charge cycles, while noting that large-scale commercialization will depend on specific use cases and customer demand.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Jones' advances in refrigeration technology also helped make indoor ice rinks and year-round hockey possible.
—Reg Chapman, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite population growth, technological advances and the addition of branch locations, the operating budget has remained flat since 2001.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
There was a beat of nervous confusion as Palmer declined his advances.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
As Tivic advances into 2026, its priorities include advancing development across several indications.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, advances to the NCAA Championship game by squeezing past DePaul 76-74.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The other four participating teams (Bolivia, Suriname, New Caledonia and Jamaica) will play in two semifinals to determine who advances to play in the finals.
—José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The winner advances to the Sweet 16.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
With the win, Missouri State advances into a first-round showdown with Texas that will take place at the same venue on Friday afternoon.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The winner advances to play the winner of second-seed Purdue against 15th-seed Queens on Sunday.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
The story of this breakthrough reminds me that science often advances through unexpected results.
—J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
If UConn advances to the Elite Eight, Auriemma could go head-to-head with a former player and assistant in Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
Along the way, the Soviets and the Americans would try to outdo each other, leading to earlier advances in technology and perhaps quicker social change, like the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled militaries and intelligence agencies to sift through vast amounts of surveillance footage and identify targets.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.
—Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Sometimes the most interesting engineering advances start from an idea everyone else scrolled past.
—Omar Kardoudi
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
At the same time, another Chinese giant, BYD reported advances in its third-generation sodium-ion platform, with cycle life reaching up to 10,000 charge cycles, while noting that large-scale commercialization will depend on specific use cases and customer demand.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Jones' advances in refrigeration technology also helped make indoor ice rinks and year-round hockey possible.
—Reg Chapman, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite population growth, technological advances and the addition of branch locations, the operating budget has remained flat since 2001.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
There was a beat of nervous confusion as Palmer declined his advances.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advances
Verb
-
The expanse of the American West lends a scope and majesty to the frame, while smooth transitions between 2D and 3D animation make the horse-racing scenes exhilarating.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The natural silk cord lays comfortably on the skin and the kelp pendant lends an ethereal touch that is elegant but slightly bohemian.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to Cubalex, a nonprofit organization that promotes human rights, nearly 160 protests have been reported across Cuba since March 6.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The organization is a movement with Christian ties that promotes peace, justice and equality.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gering said air quality should improve as the day progresses due to increasing wind speed and forecasted rain and thunderstorms.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Jesus Tarango, the chairman of Wilton Rancheria, said as the casino progresses economically, so does the future of the tribe and broader Sacramento community.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This 50-inch powerhouse upgrades your space with stunning 4K Ultra HD and HDR10+ for crisp, vivid visuals even in the darkest movie scenes.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Stifel upgrades Valvoline to buy from hold Stifel says the stock is too compelling to ignore at current levels.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the same breath, the city acknowledges planning fewer historic designations but proposes doing more in poorer communities.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The legislation proposes to remove the explicit ban and redefine euthanasia as a legal, voluntary medical procedure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That thinking also shapes how the company approaches artificial intelligence.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Announced during the agency’s Ignition event, the strategy reshapes how NASA approaches both lunar exploration and interplanetary missions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Placer County Sheriff's Office in California The break in the case came through advancements in DNA technology and decades of investigative work, the sheriff's office said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Stay informed about the latest advancements in military technology, defense strategies, and global conflicts.—
Interesting Engineering,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The project will also add turn lanes, access control measures and pedestrian improvements.—
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As further improvements are made, platinum-free fuel cells could play a major role in building a cleaner and more affordable energy future.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Advances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advances. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
