1
as in apparatus
a mechanical part or group of parts used to perform a specific task
The printer's paper feeding mechanism is jammed.
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2
as in system
a series of actions used to achieve an end
She was stunned to learn that there was no mechanism in place to remedy the problem.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mechanism
The park says safety mechanisms have performed as intended when malfunctions have happened.
—
Chad Murphy, USA Today, 24 July 2025
If there is interference, this mechanism may prevent the headrest from locking into an upright position.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
However, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms, ambiguities in the statutory language and other limitations have attracted the interest of reformers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 July 2025
In the Chicago area, the mechanisms for alerting the public vary county by county, and, in some cases, city by city.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Chad Murphy, USA Today, 24 July 2025
If there is interference, this mechanism may prevent the headrest from locking into an upright position.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
However, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms, ambiguities in the statutory language and other limitations have attracted the interest of reformers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 July 2025
In the Chicago area, the mechanisms for alerting the public vary county by county, and, in some cases, city by city.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanism
Noun
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Trump and Musk have dismembered the federal bureaucracy, but its old tendencies are still prevailing; the apparatus clings to the vendors that have delivered results.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
28 July 2025
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As of Sunday, Fan’s Weibo account remains active (a deactivation would be one of the first signs a performer has fallen afoul of China’s censorship apparatus) – though some posts railing against the veiled official warning have been removed.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
27 July 2025
Noun
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Even when throwing on multiple attackers to salvage matches late on, Wiegman has always had a clear system.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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The Austin service involves a small fleet of about 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles equipped with the company’s latest self-driving systems.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Using the device is as simple as subtly dipping a finger into your drink, using that finger to transfer a drop of the liquid over to the tattoo, then wetting the surface of the tattoo with that drop.—
Ben Coxworth
July 26,
New Atlas,
26 July 2025
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As The Verge points out, the device only comes packed with a single Thunderbolt 5 cable, and no included PSU (power supply unit) like previous Razer eGPU models.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Now, the state is making the firing squad its lead method of execution.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
21 July 2025
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Though small, Calabash has a rather large claim: It’s been deemed the Seafood Capital of the World, thanks to a very specific method of frying fish and shrimp that involves a light dusting of flour or cornmeal before dunking it in hot oil.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Then Google would know her, the machine would let her.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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This illustrative image from October 5, 2021, shows a magnetic resonance imaging machine at Neurospin in Gif-sur-Yvette, southwest of Paris.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.—
Aaron Tolentino,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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The leadership team’s work stems from the belief that immigration should be done right, not only to protect the integrity of the process but to honor the courage of the people who go through it.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Microsoft launched Azure more than a decade ago, but the service has increasingly become intertwined with its AI ambitions, as the company looks to sell its AI chatbot and other tools to big business customers that are also reliant on its core online services.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
31 July 2025
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At this point in history, ancient humans were also beginning to form stone tools that made searching for underground plants even easier.—
Andrew Paul Jul 31,
Popular Science,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Both organizations emphasized improvements made to welfare systems and reporting procedures since 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine, and again in 2020 when Banijay acquired Endemol Shine.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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While the visit to her home country was meant to last just 10 days, complications from a previous procedure grounded her for six months.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanism. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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