Synonym Chooser

How does the verb proceed differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proceed are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of proceed?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When is derive a more appropriate choice than proceed?

The synonyms derive and proceed are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When would emanate be a good substitute for proceed?

While the synonyms emanate and proceed are close in meaning, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of proceed?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

In what contexts can issue take the place of proceed?

The meanings of issue and proceed largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When is it sensible to use originate instead of proceed?

While in some cases nearly identical to proceed, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When might spring be a better fit than proceed?

Although the words spring and proceed have much in common, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace proceed?

In some situations, the words stem and proceed are roughly equivalent. However, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 proceed Ultimately, the quarterback fooled the Raiders and proceeded to take the snap and get the Chiefs a first down. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 But the Spanish police, despite having surveilled the group for two years, hadn’t garnered enough direct evidence of drug trafficking by the Kinahans to proceed to trial. Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 According to the district, the initiative has proceeded in three phases. Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025 Where the Dodgers and their $3 billion payroll are proceeding to the World Series, the Canes and their $3 million-plus quarterback now trail Georgia Tech, Virginia and five other teams in the ACC standings. Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proceed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proceed
Verb
  • One issue is that hypnosis has long been viewed as a form of entertainment, a stage show with a hypnotist and an audience, which can give viewers a sense that hypnosis is something done to you rather than a process that a person is led through.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • There are a lot of very respectable academics that have done a lot of really amazing work in Black Studies and Africana Studies.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, this cooling might temporarily offset the progressing climate change — but a new study claims this type of intervention is likely to have several more unwanted side effects than previously thought.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This will be a major storyline to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The rapper also expressed frustration towards those who criticized her appearance at a rally Kamala Harris hosted in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 election, stating that the wrong parts of her speech went viral.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • These can require more unraveling, and the further back one goes, the more conjecture there is.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The protests come amid a federal government shutdown now in its 18th day, broader immigration enforcement operations, and the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and Los Angeles.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Regulators say more crashes may come Tesla's latest FSD software update arrived just days before the investigation began.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Moments later, O’Brien came away with an interception and the Cougars began marching right back up the field.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • As the roster improved, the Mariners never let a team march into T-Mobile Park and beat them that way again — right up until this ALCS.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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