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
The art world’s interpretive frameworks operate as threshold mechanisms that determine what can surface into visibility and what remains structurally excluded.
—
Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Governments must rethink pension systems not simply as transfer mechanisms but as platforms enabling active participation.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Avoiding failure requires organizations to build operational controls, oversight mechanisms, and clear decision boundaries around AI systems from the start.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
So any mechanism that changes contact resistance becomes increasingly important, which explains why the inflation effect grows as devices get smaller.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Governments must rethink pension systems not simply as transfer mechanisms but as platforms enabling active participation.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Avoiding failure requires organizations to build operational controls, oversight mechanisms, and clear decision boundaries around AI systems from the start.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
So any mechanism that changes contact resistance becomes increasingly important, which explains why the inflation effect grows as devices get smaller.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanism
Noun
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Her government has since been navigating a delicate transition, balancing pressure from Washington for cooperation on corruption and criminal cases with the demands of powerful figures within Venezuela’s military and security apparatus who remain wary of the rapidly shifting political landscape.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Protesters lack weapons and organization; the Iranian security apparatus does not.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The announcement signals Tehran’s intent to test Israel’s layered missile defenses, including the Arrow and Patriot systems.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
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Shares in air defense systems maker LIG Nex1 soared 25%, while electronic warfare systems manufacturer Victek and anti-aircraft missile components’ maker Firstec saw shares rise more than 20% and 15%, respectively.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In laboratory trials, the device successfully absorbed about 14% of the vibration energy.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Depending on room type, features may include mobility-accessible tubs, roll-in showers, transfer showers, and hearing-accessible enhancements such as visual alarms and notification devices for the door and telephone.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Science Minister Chang Lih Kang said Monday that any radioactive waste generated within the next five years must be treated and neutralized by extracting thorium or other methods.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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The attacks included suicide missions — a method that Hamas operatives had learned from Hezbollah trainers in Lebanon.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The result is chaos, and a few too many jokes about young people not knowing how to work a fax machine or manage paper.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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By the 1910s, futurist and cubist art adopted the bicycle as a representation of the fusion of humanity and machines in the modern era.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Still, the map only goes into effect if it's backed by voters and the amendment process is approved by the top court.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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Meeting strict aviation standards Project lead Qin Daochun said the development process required careful testing and refinement.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Scientists use Talos to study how humanoid machines walk, maintain balance, and use tools in complex environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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The combination of a weak economy and high inflation is a worst-case scenario for investors because the Federal Reserve has no good tool to fix both problems at the same time.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Estrada Juarez is among many immigrants arrested for deportation at courthouses since last year, a practice that breaks from longstanding former procedure.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The issue was surrounding his leg amputation surgery, a procedure that involves stretching the muscles and suturing them to provide the bone with padding.—
Jacob Louraine,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanism. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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