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.
Related Words
Relevance
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.
Related 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 mechanisms
Gold and Bitcoin’s supply dynamics differ Scarcity helps support the value of both gold and Bitcoin, but their supply mechanisms work very differently.
—
Sharon Wu, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The prototype combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and laser technology to automatically identify mosquitoes and direct a laser toward them while incorporating safety mechanisms designed to prevent accidental firing near humans or flammable materials.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
By 2018, when Clémentin Bouquet joined the lab, the team was confident in its findings and ready to dig into the underlying mechanisms.
—Siddhant Pusdekar, Quanta Magazine, 1 June 2026
OpenAI, in response, defended its safety mechanisms.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Richards now understands them as mechanisms of control.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026
Those mechanisms that begin Monday allow Philadelphia to spread that dead cap weight of a trade across multiple seasons rather than having to absorb most of it in 2026, which the Eagles could not realistically manage.
—Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Accountability mechanisms that tie organizational power to customer outcomes.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Allowing states to keep money saved from fraud reduction measures to invest in further fraud prevention mechanisms could also help reduce fraud and waste.
—Rachel Sheffield, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
Sharon Wu, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The prototype combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and laser technology to automatically identify mosquitoes and direct a laser toward them while incorporating safety mechanisms designed to prevent accidental firing near humans or flammable materials.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
By 2018, when Clémentin Bouquet joined the lab, the team was confident in its findings and ready to dig into the underlying mechanisms.
—Siddhant Pusdekar, Quanta Magazine, 1 June 2026
OpenAI, in response, defended its safety mechanisms.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Richards now understands them as mechanisms of control.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026
Those mechanisms that begin Monday allow Philadelphia to spread that dead cap weight of a trade across multiple seasons rather than having to absorb most of it in 2026, which the Eagles could not realistically manage.
—Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Accountability mechanisms that tie organizational power to customer outcomes.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Allowing states to keep money saved from fraud reduction measures to invest in further fraud prevention mechanisms could also help reduce fraud and waste.
—Rachel Sheffield, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
Noun
-
The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
That treatment gap is reviving interest in experimental blood-filtering devices that can physically remove viral particles from the bloodstream.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Radar testing provides measurable data A major part of the validation was Radar Cross Section (RCS) testing, which Boeing described as one of the primary methods for assessing an aircraft’s stealth characteristics.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Those who bought the checks would then attempt to fraudulently cash them, according to federal prosecutors, using various methods.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Some 43% of core banking systems and 95% of ATM transactions still run on COBOL, a program that predates the year the Beatles got together.—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Ciber’s unit has five such machines, used sparingly, and is preparing another, faster robot, capable of covering 10 miles an hour, to carry Kalashnikov small arms into battle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
As robots grow more capable and AI more sophisticated, a growing chorus of researchers contends that machines can go further, do more, and take on greater risk – all at a fraction of the cost of keeping a human alive in orbit.—
Omar Kardoudi
May 29,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
That means clear notification procedures, credible monitoring and reliable deconfliction backed by the United Nations.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
Restaurants that receive more than 30 demerits are required to immediately fix the most critical violations and start corrective procedures on all the other violations within 48 hours.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
On May 21, Minister of State Chris Bryant told parliament that the documents confirmed that Andrew’s role was unpaid, with his expenses and travels having been approved through formal processes.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
-
According to Microsoft, its quantum team used agentic AI to automate complex measurements, optimize fabrication processes, analyze decades of research data, and uncover previously unnoticed problems that affected device performance.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
