proceed

verb

prō-ˈsēd How to pronounce proceed (audio)
Definition of proceednext
as in to do
to move forward along a course you may proceed with your plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb proceed differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proceed are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of proceed?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When is derive a more appropriate choice than proceed?

The synonyms derive and proceed are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When would emanate be a good substitute for proceed?

While the synonyms emanate and proceed are close in meaning, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of proceed?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

In what contexts can issue take the place of proceed?

The meanings of issue and proceed largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When is it sensible to use originate instead of proceed?

While in some cases nearly identical to proceed, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When might spring be a better fit than proceed?

Although the words spring and proceed have much in common, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace proceed?

In some situations, the words stem and proceed are roughly equivalent. However, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 proceed Celebrities buying into scruffy teams became something of a headline when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds acquired the lower-tier Welsh football team in Wrexham and proceeded to bring some rizz to it; their moves of course also became the subject of the FX show Welcome to Wrexham. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 The auction proceeded despite fierce opposition from thousands of artists, who have argued AI models of exploiting human creativity without consent. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 5 Mar. 2025 The two sides are now in a standoff over how to proceed. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 Other Vatican functions are proceeding normally, including the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year celebrations. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proceed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proceed
  1. do
  2. progress
  3. go
  4. march
Verb
  • Telescopes that can analyze light by its wavelength usually only do so over a small area of sky, pointing at specific objects of interest.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Fans may have noticed that Garten always stores her knives in her knife block with the blades facing upward, rather than downward, as most of us do.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of do
Verb
  • But as the pandemic progressed, killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world, Cuomo’s response also faced intense scrutiny over a controversial directive to transfer recovering Covid-19 patients back to nursing homes.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
  • As the evening progressed, the patio swelled with A-listers.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of progress
Verb
  • The Vikings went undefeated in the DuKane Conference and won a regional title.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Fox’s counterpart in the blockbuster trade, Zach LaVine, scored a game-high 36 points while going 7-of-11 from 3-point range.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of go
Verb
  • The group then marched to CUNY’s City College in Harlem, where Gov. Hochul was scheduled to speak at a workforce event that was called off at the eleventh hour.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • In March 1913, thousands of women marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the day before the presidential inauguration in protest of women’s disenfranchisement in elections.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of march

Phrases Containing proceed

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Cite this Entry

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of proceed for Spanish Speakers

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