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 The tourism district’s three-person transportation committee, made up of city, hotel and Disney representatives, decided to proceed with the process to buy the properties, which ATN board members also approved Wednesday at their meeting. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Drummers signaled when crosswalks were clear for marchers to proceed. —Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026 In February 2024, the project proceeded to community reviews and later that year got support from La Jolla planning groups. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026 The House proceeded to vote down the amendment resolution 59-63 — 25 votes short of the necessary supermajority. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proceed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proceed
  1. do
  2. progress
  3. go
  4. come
  5. march
Verb
  • The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • If a friend volunteers input, accept their assistance with gratitude rather than doing everything alone for the best results.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • As mission teams progress through the countdown, expect to hear SLS, which stands for Space Launch System, to indicate the rocket.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
  • There are two types of sleeping sickness, each named after the region of Africa where it was historically found; both progress through two distinct stages.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of progress
Verb
  • Could a straighter road make cars go faster?
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • To meet his growing costs, Meraj had increased the price of a cup of tea from ten rupees to fifteen, a fifty-per-cent rise (in New York terms, like a cup of drip coffee going from just shy of four dollars to nearly six overnight).
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Breakfast with thick waffles or puffy omelets come with housemade fresh cinnamon rolls the size of a baseball, drizzled with icing.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • But that pact came without the protection of a no-trade clause, and as the Cubs sputtered to a second consecutive 83-win, playoff-less season, the idea of trading a controllable second baseman with the ability to play shortstop to upgrade the roster wasn’t too far-fetched.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of come
Verb
  • The action then resets with a fresh square, the blocky white elements stationed at different coordinates and ready to march across the plane in a new pattern of recession.
    — Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
  • As the students marched, many drivers honked to show their support.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of march

Phrases Containing proceed

Browse Nearby Words

procedures
proceed
proceed (along)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of proceed for Spanish Speakers

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