1
as in devices
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 methods
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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Recent Examples of mechanisms
Export controls, data security laws, and investment screening mechanisms increasingly function as instruments of a broader Chinese economic and geopolitical strategy tied to technology.
—
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
As just one example, two people receiving a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may have very different underlying biological mechanisms driving their illness, and very different responses to the same treatment.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
It was reduced to its steel frame after the fire burned away its outer layers and internal mechanisms.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
For younger workers still establishing coping mechanisms, substance use can put them at risk for negative outcomes, according to Waltrous.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Bonaca suspects that the walking improvements seen in trial participants who took semaglutide were likely from anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the vascular endothelial muscles.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
The lesson is that healthcare lacks the self-correcting mechanisms that forced aviation to change.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
This mentality, forged through a career built within and outside of the mechanisms of Music Row, continues to shape the Grand Ole Opry member's work.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
As just one example, two people receiving a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may have very different underlying biological mechanisms driving their illness, and very different responses to the same treatment.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
It was reduced to its steel frame after the fire burned away its outer layers and internal mechanisms.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
For younger workers still establishing coping mechanisms, substance use can put them at risk for negative outcomes, according to Waltrous.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Bonaca suspects that the walking improvements seen in trial participants who took semaglutide were likely from anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the vascular endothelial muscles.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
The lesson is that healthcare lacks the self-correcting mechanisms that forced aviation to change.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
This mentality, forged through a career built within and outside of the mechanisms of Music Row, continues to shape the Grand Ole Opry member's work.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
Noun
-
The program included a technology deep dive exploring the science behind modern IPL devices, a creator roundtable discussing personal journeys around beauty and self-confidence and hands-on demonstrations that allowed attendees to experience the devices directly.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 will see its debut in devices overseas from brands like Oppo, realme, and REDMI.—
Florence Ion,
PC Magazine,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
But part of the reason is that even with our most precise and accurate measurements that lead to a determination of the gravitational constant, those various teams and methods haven’t converged on a single answer.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
-
That means the team will need to use creativity to build the foundation of a winning team, which could include methods such as taking on dead money to acquire draft picks.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
This year's exercise involves more than 5,000 personnel from over 40 nations, with a growing focus on advanced technologies, including drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.—
Duarte Dias,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
In turn, this could enable higher power conversion efficiencies and more reproducible device performance across different material systems.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
All the Coca-Cola vending machines have already been ripped out of the walls.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Many of these humans already made use of machines, like the crop-planters that have automated the tedious work of sowing edamame beans by hand.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Clark spent six weeks at the beginning of this school year setting up and practicing classroom routines and procedures with her students.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
The complaint further accuses the properties of failing to implement anti-trafficking policies and training procedures.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
In a further adaptation, the Buddhist Five Precepts were rewritten specifically for the robot, with input reportedly drawn from AI tools including Gemini and ChatGPT.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
While digital tools will remain part of the landscape, Bugenhagen believes there is growing space for models that prioritize human insight and structured guidance.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The new law will also allow residents or the state's Attorney General to sue local and county governments over their voting processes or plans.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The fundamental processes governing brain health — genetics, neural and synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation — do not respect the arbitrary boundaries drawn between neurology and psychiatry.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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