1
as in advanced
being far along in development
progressive forms of animal life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liberal
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
a socially progressive community, it was the first to provide for the public education of girls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pioneering
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques
one of the founders of progressive dance, Isadora Duncan became an inspiration to an array of free-spirited artists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in moderate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 progressive
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
His unapologetic calls for a progressive economic agenda and more inclusive policies for all racial groups, religions, genders and orientations laid the groundwork for the progressive movement within the Democratic Party.
—Matt Brown, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Mark Carey, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Kuchel was an infamous progressive in the Republican Party at the time, playing roles in the Senate’s work to pass Medicare, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as well as conservation efforts and a nuclear test ban treaty.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for progressive
Adjective
With nine Democratic gubernatorial candidates pitching competing visions, California Democrats showed deep divisions between progressive tax-and-spend approaches and moderate ‘back to basics’ budget restraint.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
His unapologetic calls for a progressive economic agenda and more inclusive policies for all racial groups, religions, genders and orientations laid the groundwork for the progressive movement within the Democratic Party.
—Matt Brown, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Only one in four of his progressive carries this season has been a cut inside.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Kuchel was an infamous progressive in the Republican Party at the time, playing roles in the Senate’s work to pass Medicare, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as well as conservation efforts and a nuclear test ban treaty.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for progressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progressive
Adjective
-
Anthropic has been most focused on applying its technology to cybersecurity and has been one of the only advanced AI models available for use in classified operations.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In the bottom half, Aiden Robbins singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a balk, but Carson Tinney struck out looking to end the frame.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Not present were Gorsuch, Alito, Thomas and the court’s two other liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The flagship has also dodged some of the scandals other universities have faced when firing professors because of their liberal speech.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Brutti cites Loie Fuller, whose Danse Serpentine became a pioneering cinematic marvel; Martha Graham; and Childs, who collaborated with the group during the pandemic.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
His father came to the United States from Mexico illegally then became a pioneering Mexican restaurateur in Los Angeles.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The recurrent hope—in Texas and elsewhere—is that Republican extremism will finally alienate enough moderates to flip a seat.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats will be slicing up the votes among liberals and moderates as the candidates position themselves to appeal to the largest swath of primary voters.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The firm relies heavily on additive manufacturing and modern production processes to reduce costs and accelerate output.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing was said or done in the roughly 35 minutes the candidates devoted to themselves that seemed likely to change the dynamic or trajectory of a race that remains stubbornly ill-defined and, to an unprecedented degree in modern times, wide open.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crawford modeled a plunging pinstripe vest featuring an unconventional wrap closure, pairing it with matching trousers.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The two strike up a somewhat unconventional romance after meeting on Christmas in Colin’s local pub wherein their first date involves a back-alley blowjob and little conversation.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Once seen as a reformer, Gaddafi had attempted a political comeback in 2021 but remained a divisive and controversial figure in Libya.—
Yousef Murad,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Clark ran as a reformer in 2019, aiming to replace outgoing mayor Eric Kellogg, who had been prevented from running for reelection by term limits.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the last century, scientists have found bountiful evidence of complexity and engineering in living systems that seems highly unlikely to have emerged from a world of evolved necessity.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In all cases there is a responsibility to accept a certain degree of uncertainty, evolved thinking, and risk.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Progressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progressive. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
