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progression

noun

prə-ˈgre-shən How to pronounce progression (audio)
Definition of progressionnext
1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together a progression of events that ended in utter disaster for the arctic explorers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in progress
forward movement in time or place our progression was slow but steady

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in evolution
the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced that civilization's gradual progression from simple bartering to a complex economy and monetary system

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 progression Around 32% of previous cohorts are now hiring or championing others for more senior roles, with 68% of alums citing access to decision makers is the single biggest obstacle to career progression. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 This results in a world of patchwork range widths, inconsistent pay progression and incomplete or outdated surveys as leaders hop from one survey provider to another to account for low n-count. — Maria Colacurcio, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Martin Scorsese spends time detailing the lyrical finale of Before the Revolution, painstakingly describing its remarkable progression of shots, cuts, and sounds. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 The sheds show this buck’s progression from a world-class to a world-record rack. — Scott Einsmann, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for progression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progression
  1. sequence
  2. progress
  3. evolution
  4. chain
  5. process
  6. development
  7. train
  8. advancement
Noun
  • This sequence should also be followed at the pitch-side monitor, but sometimes the VAR cuts straight to slow motion replays in the interests of speed.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The incident closely paralleled the sequence of events that in July resulted in another group of OpenAI’s agents launching cyberattacks against the company Hugging Face.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • According to Ecuador's government, around 56,000 people in the country are visually impaired, and while blind people have been able to find work with increasing success, their inclusion in sports is still a work in progress.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • After two jumps/throws, only the top six progress, and that is whittled down to four for the final attempt.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of progress
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
Noun
  • Niihau is the seventh-largest island in the Hawaiian Island chain, but the smallest populated island, according to the Niihau Cultural Heritage Foundation.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In animals, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) inside the muscle supplies most of the mechanical energy, while an electrical impulse travels along a motor neuron and triggers a chain of events that causes skeletal muscle fibers to contract.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of chain
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
  • The development will be built in phases and is planned to cover about 350,000 square meters when fully developed.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The funds will support the expansion and modernization of airport infrastructure, accelerate the development of Adani Airport City projects and scale passenger-facing and other non-aeronautical businesses, including ground handling.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of development
Noun
  • Set the scene An hour and a half north of NYC by train, Beacon is a Hudson Valley gem.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Modeling was far from the first thing on her mind, and yet, a scout who spotted her inside the train car could see her runway career clearly.
    — WWD Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of train
Noun
  • Even if new guardrails against AI model advancement are put in place, a temporary slowdown could allow the supply chain to catch up to demand.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • For that matter, that’s how most scientific advancements begin too.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of advancement

Browse Nearby Words

progressing
progression
progressions
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Cite this Entry

“Progression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progression. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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