machine 1 of 2

noun

mə-ˈshēn How to pronounce machine (audio)
Definition of machinenext
1
as in engine
a device that changes energy into mechanical motion a machine that washes dishes for you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in car
a self-propelled passenger vehicle on four wheels that Corvette is a machine that any guy would love to own

Synonyms & Similar Words

machine

2 of 2

verb

as in to better

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 machine
Noun
Regular cleaning ensures better-tasting coffee and keeps your machine running smoothly. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 Those were the numbers on a Quick Pick ticket from the machine at the Publix in the Taft Hollywood Shopping Center, 6901 Taft St. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
The tool is made from Grade 5 titanium and is also CNC machined, meaning there are no sharp edges or rough spots on the tool. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 28 May 2026 Although lightweight and robust, the material is notoriously difficult to machine, requiring more work to achieve the angles. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for machine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for machine
  1. engine
  2. car
  3. better
  4. bus
  5. improve
  6. automobile
  7. refine
  8. wheels
Noun
  • States preparing for an imminent war prioritize military mobilization and strategic hardening; Fujian, by contrast, is being developed as a long-term engine of economic integration, innovation, and cross-Strait connectivity.
    — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The cultural notables in the room — including painters Richard Nugent and Romare Bearden, poet Arna Bontemps and theater impresario Abram Hill — speak up for art as the Renaissance’s engine, remembering gifted colleagues no longer around.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of engine
Noun
  • The tax rate for car leases would remain at 15%, while leases for film production equipment would see their tax reduced to 11%.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Modern vehicles are computers on wheels, communicating with your smartphone, other cars, satellites, and cloud servers to navigate, entertain, and even drive for you.
    — Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of car
Verb
  • Forty-three percent of US adults say the federal government is effective at bettering people’s lives, down from 51% in 2025, according to a new Bentley University-Gallup survey.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In the meantime, however, humankind was not there to be bettered.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of better
Noun
  • There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • His thoughts postgame weren’t on boarding a bus for the 2-hour, 15-minute ride back to southeast Kansas.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bus
Verb
  • The performance of hydrocarbons must be considered as part of a wider system that is simultaneously scaling clean electricity input and improving efficiency across the value chain.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In comparison, 58% say state and local governments improve their lives, while 56% say the same of businesses and 77% of charitable and advocacy groups.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of improve
Noun
  • Christine Chao, 44, of Rosemead, was charged with second-degree felony text messaging or email automobile homicide on Tuesday for the June 12 crash in Juab County, Utah, according to documents from Juab County's Fourth District Court.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Chao was charged with text message or email automobile homicide Tuesday after the investigation into the crash was finished.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of automobile
Verb
  • The team revised Rotta’s face and coloring to bring him closer to Jabba while refining his muscular physique.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • If desired, Meyer lemons can also be pruned in late winter to early spring to refine their shrubby look into a more tree-like appearance.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of refine
Noun
  • The vehicle then rotated in midair and landed back on its wheels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Other times, a bike maker can slap on a new paint job, a different set of wheels and a cushier seat, and somehow end up with a bike that sells like hotcakes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of wheels

Browse Nearby Words

machinators
machine
machined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/machine. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on machine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about machine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All