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

Officials urged people low on emergency supplies after Lala to restock up to 14 days of food, pet food, medicine and other essentials and closely monitor the storm's progress. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

If all these claims had to go to court, progress at LAX would grind to a halt. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The team’s research is part of a long-term effort to assess how ecosystem restoration projects are progressing. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026

PyroGenesis progressed from gram-scale customer samples to 220-pound orders before securing its first tonne-scale powder order in 2023. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026