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progress 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-grəs How to pronounce progress (audio)
Definition of progressnext
1
as in process
forward movement in time or place we're making slow progress against this stiff headwind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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2
as in evolution
the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced the rapid progress of medical science in the last century

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

progress

2 of 2

verb

prə-ˈgres How to pronounce progress (audio)
1
as in to grow
to become mature generally a species progresses from simple forms to more specialized forms

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to proceed
to move forward along a course our wedding plans are progressing nicely

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 progress
Noun
The relentless daily attacks underscore the lack of significant progress in diplomatic efforts to end the fighting more than four years after Russia invaded its neighbor. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 With signs of mosaic loss of the Y chromosome prevalent in renal cell and esophageal cancers, researchers have been keen to map its appearance in tissues surrounding tumors to determine how they may be related to the disease’s progress. — Mike McRae 20, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
But about 1 in 20 patients progress to severe dengue, a life-threatening turn that tends to strike just as the fever breaks – often around days three to seven, when patients and their families may wrongly assume the worst is over. — Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 As the vacation progresses, deeper issues in Zoran and Ivana’s relationship begin to surface, and these problems eventually extend to their interactions with a neighboring family. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for progress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progress
  1. process
  2. evolution
  3. grow
  4. proceed
  5. progression
  6. development
  7. develop
  8. do
Noun
  • The announcement is therefore focused less on changing battery chemistry and more on changing the material and manufacturing process around the battery.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Soundgarden were already a major label band with two albums out when bassist Ben Shepherd joined in 1990, but their new bassist quickly became an integral part of the band’s songwriting process.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of process
Noun
  • This is thought to happen because the social transmission of stories acts like evolution.
    — Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Until Monday night, anyway, when the Chiefs blasted Denver 31-10 behind Walker’s 173 yards on 23 carries — including a 60-yard touchdown run on a bold fourth-and-1 that in itself illustrated the abiding evolution of Reid.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of evolution
Verb
  • The spare was also flat, and the patch kit had grown legs and walked away.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Merz, 70, became Germany's leader 16 months ago with promises to turn around an economy that has barely grown in years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Whatever proceeds Fairlane mall fetches at next month's auction/sale are to be deducted from the $35 million judgement against Kohan and the LLC.
    — JC Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The decision will come one day after ballots are sent to voters, whose approval is required for the development to proceed.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of proceed
Noun
  • The serial numbers on those documents appeared to align with the sequence of the Blast files, forming a consistent chronological progression.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Tying all this to a generic RPG progression system full of constant but insubstantial upgrades and resources feels more like busywork than anything else.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of progression
Noun
  • Other Seeds projects include the linking of extant bike paths and trails, the development of annual events that celebrate Indigenous people and culture, and even regular community cleanup activities accompanied by DJ sets.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Regardless, the failure of these large and expensive trials will almost certainly throw cold water on development of future medications in this area.
    — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of development
Verb
  • Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The company is also accelerating deployment of its ArchIQ system, developed with Google, that improves order accuracy with artificial intelligence and automates tasks like inventory management and scheduling.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • The question of who killed Hal still looms, as does whatever the hell is going on with an allegedly jailbroken Sinestro.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Adding value to raw materials, which South Africa already does to a greater extent than its African peers, is the goal of countries across the continent.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

programs
progress
progressed
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Cite this Entry

“Progress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progress. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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