progressive 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈgre-siv How to pronounce progressive (audio)
Definition of progressivenext
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

progressive

2 of 2

noun

as in moderate

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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 progressive
Adjective
The report claiming Stevens is expected to announce her candidacy in the coming weeks also said she is not expected to take a progressive lane in the Democratic primary. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025 Memory loss is one of the most noticeable early signs of dementia, a progressive condition that affects cognitive functions such as reasoning, communication, and judgment. — Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
What Happens Next The dispute highlights the deep divisions in U.S. politics over immigration, as Republicans look to enact Trump's hardline immigration agenda while progressives regroup and plot to oppose his agenda. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 In the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is also playing the balancing game between centrists and progressives over what exactly to oppose Trump and his GOP allies on. — Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for progressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progressive
  1. advanced
  2. liberal
  3. moderate
  4. modern
  5. unconventional
  6. reformer
  7. radical
  8. contemporary
Adjective
  • The next era focuses on cracking the code for personalization, advanced marketing assets, and empathetic conversational AI. Computational Medicine.
    — Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The Chinese military has expanded its reach and presence by building advanced warships and operating far from the country's coastline.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • Leading the charge for the religious parents was lawyer Eric Baxter, who got a grilling from the court's three liberal justices.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The court’s three liberal justices all vigorously challenged the parents’ request in the case, seeing opt-out rights as a slippery slope.
    — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of liberal
Noun
  • Cornyn could appeal more to moderates but might not drive a high turnout.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Several Democrats voted for the nominee, including Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), swing-state moderates who sit on the Armed Services panel.
    — Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of moderate
Adjective
  • Apostolic churches believe in modern day apostles and prophets, or those who claim to communicate directly with God and receive gifts of the Holy Spirit.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • For us as Jews, Easter has far more sinister overtones — of the passages from the Gospels that gave birth to modern antisemitism, of passion plays, pogroms, and emotional fuel for the literal fires that consumed our people.
    — Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The generational gap in honesty found in the survey comes amid a broader trend of unconventional job-search behaviors among younger candidates, including ghosting employers and abandoning the hiring process midway.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of unconventional
Noun
  • The effects of sanctions and bravery among younger citizens of Iran have led to a serious divide and a rise in support for reformers.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The Catholic Counter-Reformation, which took shape at the Council of Trent from 1545-1563, reinforced dogmatism in its effort to rebuke reformers.
    — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of reformer
Adjective
  • Europe is in the midst of its own radical transformation, singed and stunned by Trump's tariffs, constant insults, undermining NATO and siding with Russia over Ukraine.
    — Axios, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
  • When Grant became president in 1869 and tried to crack down on the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, ex-Confederates demonized him as a radical extremist who had betrayed his promises to Lee.
    — Made by History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of radical
Adjective
  • But contemporary critics such as Arthur Kropp, the president in 1991 of the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way, did see the dustup as a portent way back then.
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
  • And even now, contemporary artists like Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa have embraced the disco beat.
    — Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of contemporary

Browse Nearby Words

progressions
progressive
progressively
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Cite this Entry

“Progressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progressive. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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