Synonyms of progress

progress 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-grəs 

1

as in process

forward movement in time or place

we're making slow progress against this stiff headwind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• process
• progression
• advance
• advancement
• procession
• going
• headway
• march
• flow
• passage
• furtherance
• coming
• leap
• stream
• current
• approach
• onrush
• arrival
• drift
• way
• flux
• step
• advent
• momentum
• nearing
• stride
• jump
• impetus
• bound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regression
• retreat
• retrogression
• regress
• recession
• recess
• ebb
• return
• reflux
• reversal
• reverse
• retraction
• turnaround
• backwash
• turnabout
• about-face

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evolution
• development
• progression
• growth
• expansion
• improvement
• advancement
• emergence
• elaboration
• betterment
• maturation
• enhancement
• flowering
• maturing
• refinement
• incubation
• ripening
• perfection
• augmentation
• metamorphosis
• evolvement
• blossoming
• supplementation
• flourishing
• addition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regression
• retrogression
• regress
• reversion
• relapse
• lapse
• deterioration
• decline
• degradation
• falling
• decay
• degeneration
• descent
• weakening
• downfall
• devaluation
• backslide
• decadence
• degeneracy
• declination
• downgrade
• declension
• decaying
• ebbing

progress

2 of 2

verb

prə-ˈgres 

1

as in to grow

to become mature

generally a species progresses from simple forms to more specialized forms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• develop
• age
• mature
• grow up
• ripen
• flower
• evolve
• bloom
• flourish
• blossom
• soften
• get along
• mellow
• advance
• unfold
• gray
• get on
• open
• burgeon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decline
• deteriorate
• decay
• worsen
• degenerate
• sink
• waste (away)
• dry
• fade
• weaken
• wane
• wilt
• regress
• revert
• wither
• return
• sag
• flag
• shrivel
• lapse
• droop
• retrogress
• backslide

2

as in to proceed

to move forward along a course

our wedding plans are progressing nicely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proceed
• do
• march
• come
• go
• advance
• pace
• forge
• come along
• get along
• go along
• get on
• go off
• speed
• gain ground
• fare
• accelerate
• approach
• travel
• journey
• push
• repair
• drive
• near
• pass
• propel
• fast-forward
• take out
• run
• impel
• actuate
• wend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stop
• stay
• stand
• check
• hinder
• impede
• halt
• arrest
• block
• slow (down or up)
• stem
• obstruct
• retard
• delay
• hold back
• detain
• interrupt
• suppress
• hamper
• repress
• stall
• inhibit
• cease
• balk
• wait
• pause
• stunt
• nip
• regress
• cramp
• let up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of progress

Noun

Attendees often pay thousands of dollars to be in the room, only to lament the lack of representation and authenticity on-stage, and the lack of progress outside it. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Despite the progress, none of these demonstrations suggest that biological computers will soon serve in Amazon warehouses or chauffeur you around town in a Waymo. — Mike McRae 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Credentials matter, but success should ultimately be measured by whether people move into employment, remain employed and continue progressing in their careers. — Maria Trochimezuk, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Three dedicated Claude courses progress from basic prompting and research to reusable Skills, integrations, and multi-step AI workflows. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026