Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

progress

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of progress

1 forward movement in time or place
  • weʼre making slow progress against this stiff headwind
Synonyms of progress

advance, advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process, procession, progression
Words Related to progress

current, drift, flow, flux, stream, way

advent, approach, arrival, coming, nearing

bound, jump, leap, step, stride

impetus, momentum
Near Antonyms of progress

backwash, ebb, reflux

retraction, return, reversal, reverse

about-face, turnabout, turnaround
Antonyms of progress

recess, recession, regress, regression, retreat, retrogression
2 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 of progress

development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progression
Words Related to progress

advancement, betterment, improvement, perfection, refinement

incubation, maturation, maturing, ripening

blossoming, flourishing, flowering

addition, augmentation, enhancement, supplementation

emergence, evolvement, metamorphosis
Near Antonyms of progress

backslide, lapse, relapse

decadence, decay, decaying, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, descent, deterioration, devaluation, downfall, downgrade, ebbing, falling, weakening
Antonyms of progress

regress, regression, retrogression, reversion

progress

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of progress

1 to become mature
  • generally a species progresses from simple forms to more specialized forms
Synonyms of progress

age, develop, grow, grow up, mature, ripen
Words Related to progress

mellow, soften

bloom, blossom, burgeon (also bourgeon), flourish, flower

open, unfold

advance, evolve

get along, get on, gray (also grey)
Near Antonyms of progress

decay, decline, degenerate, deteriorate, sink, worsen

droop, dry, fade, flag, sag, shrivel, wane, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither

regress, retrogress, revert

backslide, lapse, return
2 to move forward along a course
  • our wedding plans are progressing nicely
Synonyms of progress

advance, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go, go along, go off, march, pace, proceed
Words Related to progress

accelerate, fast-forward, speed

approach, near

journey, pass, repair, run, travel, wend

actuate, drive, impel, propel, push

take out
Phrases Synonymous with progress

gain ground
Near Antonyms of progress

arrest, balk, block, check, detain, halt, hinder, hold back, impede, nip, obstruct, slow (down or up), stem

repress, retard, stunt, suppress

delay, interrupt, stall

cramp, hamper, inhibit

cease, let up, pause

regress

wait
Antonyms of progress

remain, stand, stay, stop

Learn More about progress

  1. See words that rhyme with progress Dictionary: Definition of progress Spanish Central: Translation of progress Nglish: Translation of progress for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of progress for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up progress? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

chockablock

very full or close together

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games