PROCEED Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

proceed

verb

prō-ˈsēd

Definition of proceed next

as in to do

to move forward along a course you may proceed with your plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Event proceeds support youth programs and services, including academic support and mentorship, at the National City Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs. —

Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 By this standard, O’Hara is proceeding quite tamely. —

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 Prime Video is not proceeding with a second season of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino’s ballet dramedy series, Deadline has learned. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 June 2025 Therefore, the tariff regime will be allowed to proceed as planned. —

Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for proceed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proceed

Verb

One of his owners, Craig Leipold, did, back in January.

— Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
While private schools such as Harvard do receive large numbers of exchange students, so do major public universities.

— Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 4 June 2025

Definition of do

Articles Related to proceed

Cite this Entry

Style

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 15 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of proceed

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Commonly Confused Words Quiz

'Precede' or 'Proceed'?

All About '-Cede' and '-Ceed'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on proceed

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

garrulous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 3

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of proceed

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing proceed

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to proceed

Commonly Confused Words Quiz

'Precede' or 'Proceed'?

All About '-Cede' and '-Ceed'

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on proceed

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

garrulous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 3

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes