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

Examples 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 Among the 52 diagnosed with cancer so far all but one proceeded with a biopsy and treatment. Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 4 Dec. 2024 When visiting one of the five participating locations, a member should open and log-in to the app, then proceed through the drive-thru as normal. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024 The prosecutor's office brought the charge against the woman to Kaiserslautern Regional Court, which will decide how to proceed. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024 Deciding how to proceed with searching for a missing person varies case to case, and sometimes race and news coverage play a role. Amanda Musa, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for proceed 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proceed
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence models do much more than generate (occasionally accurate) text responses and (somewhat) realistic videos.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2024
  • How often did ancient humans and Neanderthals interbreed?
    Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As the show progresses toward the season finale, Skelton tells us later, the MacKenzie family’s multi-timeline drama comes more to the fore.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Those fires have stopped progressing, according to the California Wildfire Tracking account on X, formerly Twitter.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the committee went with the ACC this time, putting 11-2 SMU in the field as the last at-large team, the No. 11 seed with a first-round trip to Penn State on the docket, and leaving 9-3 Alabama out.
    Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • My mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed and having a laugh and joking with everyone.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Images The votes hadn’t yet been tallied, but the crowds marched past her restaurant carrying a coffin draped in the red, white, and blue colors of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
    Justice Baidoo, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Cherry Creek marched 39 yards in five plays, capped off by Cromwell’s 2-yard TD run.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near proceed

Cite this Entry

“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on proceed

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