Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

proceed

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of proceed

to move forward along a course
  • you may proceed with your plan
Synonyms of proceed

advance, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go, go along, go off, march, pace, progress
Words Related to proceed

accelerate, fast-forward, speed

approach, near

journey, pass, repair, run, travel, wend

actuate, drive, impel, propel, push

take out
Phrases Synonymous with proceed

gain ground
Near Antonyms of proceed

arrest, balk, block, check, detain, halt, hinder, hold back, impede, nip, obstruct, slow (down or up), stem

repress, retard, stunt, suppress

delay, interrupt, stall

cramp, hamper, inhibit

cease, let up, pause

regress

wait
Antonyms of proceed

remain, stand, stay, stop

Synonym Discussion of proceed

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence. spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.
    • an idea that springs to mind
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
originate implies a definite source or starting point.
    • the fire originated in the basement
derive implies a prior existence in another form.
    • the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast
flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.
    • words flowed easily from her pen
issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.
    • blood issued from the cut
emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.
    • reports emanating from the capital
proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.
    • advice that proceeds from the best of intentions
stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.
    • industries stemming from space research

Learn More about proceed

  1. See words that rhyme with proceed Dictionary: Definition of proceed Spanish Central: Translation of proceed Nglish: Translation of proceed for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proceed for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up proceed? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games