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
Getting anything to run backwards in a watch that is otherwise running clockwise requires reverse-gear mechanisms that are beyond the scope of this article to explain.
—
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
The latter will present the main support programs, tax incentives, and mechanisms for international collaboration.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Orbán used his control of the state to build an extraordinary web of international illiberal and far-right supporters, and funding mechanisms to support some of them.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Proton Mail also works overtime to weed out tracking mechanisms in the body of your emails, like hidden images that report back when a message is opened.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
That question keeps the organization elastic—building mechanisms for reflection, outside perspectives, and empowering people who think differently from the founding team.
—Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Progressive organizing groups — and Duncan himself — have over the past two days mulled several different mechanisms to push back against the stadium plan.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
Here, florist Mary Cox Brown, owner of Marigold Designs in Birmingham, Alabama, shares her tips and tricks for building arrangements that look elevated without relying on rare blooms or fussy mechanisms.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a judgment is entered, the creditor can pursue both collection mechanisms — wage garnishment and a bank levy — simultaneously.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
The latter will present the main support programs, tax incentives, and mechanisms for international collaboration.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Orbán used his control of the state to build an extraordinary web of international illiberal and far-right supporters, and funding mechanisms to support some of them.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Proton Mail also works overtime to weed out tracking mechanisms in the body of your emails, like hidden images that report back when a message is opened.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
That question keeps the organization elastic—building mechanisms for reflection, outside perspectives, and empowering people who think differently from the founding team.
—Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Progressive organizing groups — and Duncan himself — have over the past two days mulled several different mechanisms to push back against the stadium plan.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
Here, florist Mary Cox Brown, owner of Marigold Designs in Birmingham, Alabama, shares her tips and tricks for building arrangements that look elevated without relying on rare blooms or fussy mechanisms.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Once a judgment is entered, the creditor can pursue both collection mechanisms — wage garnishment and a bank levy — simultaneously.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
Noun
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Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.—
Erica Byfield,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
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This nifty little Anker portable power bank can juice up small devices (think AirPods, iPads, and phones) in a pinch.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The project, known as QUASAR-CREATE, seeks to address a specific vulnerability in modern digital infrastructure, which is the eventual ability of quantum computers to bypass current encryption methods.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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Using methods including high-resolution 3D scanning, researchers found that many of the 92 fragments bear cut marks on their inner surfaces, indicating that the turtles were carefully butchered by Neanderthals — with limbs detached, internal organs removed and shells thoroughly cleaned.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Beijing is delivering new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks and is working to route the shipments through third countries to mask their true origin, according to CNN.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Retired salesman and Air Force veteran Bud Levell, 72, has spent most of his life repairing old radios, machines and anything with wires.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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One of Fort Worth’s and Texas’ oldest restaurants now has one of the newest credit-card machines.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the team shared results with state officials, DTSC committed to perform soil testing at 100 homes that had their work done early in the process, before procedures underwent an overhaul.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Even the name is a misnomer, Mackey said, since the same pain can arise among women who’ve had other procedures, including lumpectomies and lymph node surgeries.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Editing tools like Descript are also rushing into the growing market for digital clones.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 2026
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Each new Home Depot location includes a dedicated pro team, along with digital tools designed to streamline ordering.—
Alexandria Mansfield,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The legislation also seeks to improve air traffic control training and processes.—
Olivia Rinaldi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Studies of people with brain disorders demonstrate that the self — our personal identity — is composed of many different cognitive processes.—
Masud Husain,
Big Think,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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