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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
That mentality has become important as the show progresses and as Levine gains more experience as a coach. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2026 The October 28 visit provided a closer look at the weapon’s progress toward integration with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
Slowly The minimum for adaptation is two days a week, although the ideal scenario would be to progress to three or four with breaks in between—one day on, one day off. — Laura Solla, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 But that’s going to depend on, in fact, whether the Chiefs progress. — Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 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
  • CardsHQ's Wilson said some variation between assessments is an inherent challenge in a process that involves human judgment.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Some faculty members have criticized Kotlikoff for not acting more forcefully to strengthen the school’s disciplinary process, push for criminal investigations and change campus party culture.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of process
Noun
  • The study continued that natural selection, genetic drift, and recombination biases shape the evolution of nonribosomal peptides, a class of compounds used in antibiotics such as penicillin, as well as toxins.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The cutting-edge building details the city’s evolution from a humble fishing village to a bustling metropolis with over 18 million residents.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of evolution
Verb
  • Their activity creates a growing stream of branch updates, code reviews, merges, and repository downloads.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Tapestry's recognition also adds to a growing collection of national honors earned by Minnesota food businesses.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • The country must still decide whether to proceed with a formal nomination and prepare the documentation required to demonstrate the property’s OUV.
    — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators are examining how a communications-system failure preceded controllers’ approval for a train to proceed despite another train stopped ahead.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of proceed
Noun
  • Since 2021, the Food and Drug Administration has approved three antibody treatments meant to slow the disease’s progression.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Education is one of the most effective ways to help slow the progression of kidney disease.
    — Fresenius Kidney Care, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of progression
Noun
  • Fraga added that her administration remains focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development and delivering effective, accountable government.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Cardenas is a leadership coach and organizational development consultant who lives in Fort Worth.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of development
Verb
  • The partners will also examine the coil’s efficiency under power-plant-relevant conditions and develop predictive models to assess its performance.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Officials said the woman developed respiratory symptoms in mid-October and was diagnosed with influenza A.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • However, the touchdown did little to change the outcome as Liberty secured a 49-10 victory.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
  • When Queen did Flash Gordon in 1980, that was something genuinely new — a rock band scoring an entire film.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

programs
progress
progressed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Progress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progress. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abandon

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All