progress

1.
/ˈprɑˌɡrɛs/
the act of moving forward, as toward a goal
2.
/prəˈgrɛs/
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
IPA guide

Other forms: progressed; progressing; progresses

The process of advancement and the way things move in the positive direction of improvement is called progress. If you got a B on your last test and a B+ on this one, that's progress.

If you're moving toward a goal, you're making progress too. On a long trip, it feels like you're barely making progress, but every hour you've driven another 60 miles towards your destination. Or, the news reported recent progress in peace talks between the two feuding nations. Have you ever heard someone say that you can't stop progress? That means that things keep advancing and getting more complicated. Place the accent on the second syllable if you use it as a verb. Let's progress to the next stage.

Definitions of progress (/ˈprɑˌɡrɛs/)
  1. noun
    the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
    synonyms: advance, advancement, forward motion, onward motion, procession, progression
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    types:
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    push
    an effort to advance
    career, life history
    the general progression of your working or professional life
    march
    a steady advance
    clear sailing, easy going, plain sailing
    easy unobstructed progress
    leapfrog
    advancing as if in the child's game, by leaping over obstacles or competitors
    type of:
    motion, move, movement
    the act of changing location from one place to another
  2. noun
    gradual improvement or growth or development
    “great progress in the arts”
    synonyms: advancement
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    types:
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    forwarding, furtherance, promotion
    the advancement of some enterprise
    stride
    significant progress (especially in the phrase "make strides")
    work flow, workflow
    progress (or rate of progress) in work being done
    inroad
    (usually plural) progress or advancement, as toward a goal
    type of:
    development
    the act of improving by expanding, enlarging, or refining
  3. noun
    a movement forward
    “he listened for the progress of the troops”
    synonyms: advance, progression
    see moresee less
    types:
    head, headway
    forward movement
    type of:
    change of location, travel
    a movement through space that changes the location of something
Definitions of progress (/prəˈgrɛs/)
  1. verb
    move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
    synonyms: advance, go on, march on, move on, pass on
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    types:
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    forge
    move ahead steadily
    penetrate
    make one's way deeper into or through
    creep up, sneak up
    advance stealthily or unnoticed
    encroach, impinge, infringe
    advance beyond the usual limit
    plough on, press on, push on
    continue moving forward
    string, string along
    move or come along
    overhaul, overtake, pass
    travel past
    close in, draw in
    advance or converge on
    edge, inch
    advance slowly, as if by inches
    rachet up, ratchet, ratchet down
    move by degrees in one direction only
    elapse, glide by, go along, go by, lapse, pass, slide by, slip away, slip by
    pass by
    get by
    pass or move in front of
    fell, fly, vanish
    pass away rapidly
    clear, top
    pass by, over, or under without making contact
    type of:
    go, locomote, move, travel
    change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
  2. verb
    develop in a positive way
    “He progressed well in school”
    synonyms: advance, come along, come on, get along, get on, shape up
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    antonyms:
    regress
    get worse or fall back to a previous condition
    types:
    climb
    improve one's social status
    leapfrog
    progress by large jumps instead of small increments
    type of:
    develop
    grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment
  3. verb
    form or accumulate steadily
    synonyms: build, build up, work up
    build
    develop and grow
    build, build up, ramp up, work up
    bolster or strengthen
    see moresee less
    type of:
    develop
    grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘progress'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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