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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

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

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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
There’s reason to believe in Knight and Carter’s progress in the 2026 debut and also reason to understand there are still areas of concern. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Holtec will also conduct geologic mapping and collect data as excavation progresses. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
As technology has progressed, student performance has become less linked with national or family wealth, the latest report said. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 Growing up, many of us remember dutifully taking a few more bites of protein (and, of course, vegetables) to appease our moms before we were allowed to progress to the sweet, carb-heavy goodness of dessert. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 10 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 six-machine launch reflects the company’s wider attempt to develop into a more comprehensive supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rather than remaining focused on a single part of the fabrication process.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • So that’s been an ongoing process of developing and shooting and in post[-production].
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of process
Noun
  • Still, something of an evolution is taking place, with the pressure to adopt courtliness on the wane.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, James commented on the country’s evolution.
    — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of evolution
Verb
  • The platform decides which content receives additional exposure, and that exposure can influence who discovers a creator and whether the creator’s audience grows.
    — Sergi Cerrato, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Out of that conversation grew my novel The Undead, which is, in some ways, a parting love letter to Moscow.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Drain in a colander and let cool for 10 minutes, or proceed as directed in your recipe.
    — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The whistleblower said that when officers raised concerns about liability for searching the tools against state guidance, agency leaders told them to proceed with the searches anyway.
    — Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of proceed
Noun
  • Seeing the progression of Kith’s collaborations was another highlight of putting together this book for Fieg, which doesn’t necessarily need to be a qualitative assesment.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Webb has detailed how the Broncos have examined the layering of routes to ensure progressions best fit how Nix reads the field.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of progression
Noun
  • COnovate will use the 24-month development contract to advance commercial-scale production of its eCOphite anode material.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In other developments, Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss Ruslan Kravchenko from the post of prosecutor general Tuesday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of development
Verb
  • For decades, its researchers have worked to develop groundbreaking tools to redefine how scientists visualize, understand and engineer matter at the atomic scale.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The public warnings are the culmination of growing concern globally about the capability of AI, following numerous cyberattacks and security incidents in recent months by rogue models developed by both OpenAI and Anthropic.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • In fact, Hal does so almost immediately so John can use his artistic skills to create a complex tunneling device for burrowing beneath the compound.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As the business grows, employee owners' ESOP accounts do, too, without contributing a cent.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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