Progress — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈprä-grəs/ (noun) /prə-ˈgres/ (verb) prog·ress

Meaning & Definition of Progress

Progress (noun)

  1. a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant
  2. a state procession
  3. a tour or circuit made by an official (such as a judge)

Progress (verb)

  1. to move forward, proceed
  2. to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage

Progress (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. forward movement in time or place

    "we're making slow progress against this stiff headwind"

    similar: advance, advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process, procession, progression
    related: current, drift, flow, flux, stream, way, advent, approach, arrival, coming, nearing, bound, jump, leap, step, stride, impetus, momentum
    opposite: recess, recession, regress, regression, retreat, retrogression
    near: backwash, ebb, reflux, retraction, return, reversal, reverse, about-face, turnabout, turnaround

  2. the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced

    "the rapid progress of medical science in the last century"

    similar: development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progression
    related: advancement, betterment, improvement, perfection, refinement, incubation, maturation, maturing, ripening, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, addition, augmentation, enhancement, supplementation, emergence, evolvement, metamorphosis
    opposite: regress, regression, retrogression, reversion
    near: backslide, lapse, relapse, decadence, decay, decaying, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, descent, deterioration, devaluation, downfall, downgrade, ebbing, falling, weakening

Progress (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to become mature

    "generally a species progresses from simple forms to more specialized forms"

    similar: age, develop, grow, grow up, mature, ripen
    related: mellow, soften, bloom, blossom, burgeon, flourish, flower, open, unfold, advance, evolve, get along, get on, gray
    near: decay, decline, degenerate, deteriorate, sink, worsen, droop, dry, fade, flag, sag, shrivel, wane, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither, regress, retrogress, revert, backslide, lapse, return

  2. to move forward along a course

    "our wedding plans are progressing nicely"

    similar: advance, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go, go along, go off, march, pace, proceed, gain ground
    related: accelerate, fast-forward, speed, approach, near, journey, pass, repair, run, travel, wend, actuate, drive, impel, propel, push, take out
    opposite: remain, stand, stay, stop
    near: arrest, balk, block, check, detain, halt, hinder, hold back, impede, nip, obstruct, slow (down or up), stem, repress, retard, stunt, suppress, delay, interrupt, stall, cramp, hamper, inhibit, cease, let up, pause, regress, wait

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Progress

The most common words with a similar meaning to Progress:

advance, advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process, procession, progression, development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, age, develop, grow, grow up, mature, ripen, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go, go along, go off, pace, proceed, gain ground

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Progress

Words with the opposite meaning of Progress:

recess, recession, regress, regression, retreat, retrogression, reversion, remain, stand, stay, stop

Related Words for Progress

current, drift, flow, flux, stream, way, advent, approach, arrival, coming, nearing, bound, jump, leap, step, stride, impetus, momentum, betterment, improvement, perfection, refinement, incubation, maturation, maturing, ripening, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, addition

Near Antonyms of Progress

backwash, ebb, reflux, retraction, return, reversal, reverse, about-face, turnabout, turnaround, backslide, lapse, relapse, decadence, decay, decaying, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, descent, deterioration, devaluation, downfall, downgrade, ebbing, falling, weakening

Word Forms of Progress

Inflections: progressed, progressing, progresses

Origin & Etymology of Progress

Middle English, from Anglo-French progrés, from Latin progressus advance, from progredi to go forth, from pro- forward + gradi to go pro-, grade:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Progress

Words & Phrases Containing Progress

progress report, in progress, make progress, work in progress

Frequently Asked Questions about Progress

What does "Progress" mean?

"Progress" means a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Progress"?

Other words for "Progress" include advance, advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush and passage. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Progress" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Progress"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Progress". Common alternatives include advance, advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process and procession.

What is the opposite of "Progress"?

Antonyms of "Progress" include recess, recession, regress, regression, retreat, retrogression, reversion and remain. Near antonyms include backwash, ebb, reflux and retraction.

How do you use "Progress" in a sentence?

Examples of "Progress" in a sentence: "we're making slow progress against this stiff headwind"; "the rapid progress of medical science in the last century"; "generally a species progresses from simple forms to more specialized forms".

Is "Progress" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Progress" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Progress" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Progress" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Progress"?

"Progress" is pronounced /ˈprä-grəs/ as a noun and /prə-ˈgres/ as a verb and divided into syllables as prog·ress.