Thesaurus results for SYSTEM

Q: How is the word 'system' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of system are fashion , manner , method , mode , and way . While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness. // a filing system

Q: When might 'fashion' be a better fit than 'system'?

While in some cases nearly identical to system , fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something. // rushing about in his typical fashion

Q: How do 'manner' and 'mode' relate to one another, in the sense of 'system'?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive. // an odd manner of conducting

Q: When would 'method' be a good substitute for 'system'?

The words method and system can be used in similar contexts, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps. // effective teaching methods

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mode' instead of 'system'?

The meanings of mode and system largely overlap; however, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference. // the preferred mode of transportation

Q: When can 'way' be used instead of 'system'?

The words way and system are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words. // has her own way of doing things

system

noun

ˈsi-stəm

Definition of system next

as in network

something made up of many interdependent or related parts the national highway system allows travel from one end of the country to the other the democratic system of checks and balances in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in plan

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective if you're going to wrap all these presents in one afternoon, you'll need a system

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in method

the means or procedure for doing something not the best system perhaps, but it gets the job done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word system different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of system are fashion, manner, method, mode, and way. While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

When might fashion be a better fit than system?

While in some cases nearly identical to system, fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

How do manner and mode relate to one another, in the sense of system?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

When would method be a good substitute for system?

The words method and system can be used in similar contexts, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

When is it sensible to use mode instead of system?

The meanings of mode and system largely overlap; however, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

When can way be used instead of system?

The words way and system are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

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 system The same system applied to bathing: every three weeks, they were permitted a few minutes to clean themselves in the toilet cubicle, with a half litre of water. —

Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 The audience needs to grasp the systemic factors that made Auschwitz possible: The totalitarian system, the terror, the erosion of humanity, and the promotion of opportunism. —

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 The discovery forced the team to conclude that not all fast radio bursts come from younger galaxies and stars and that perhaps some originate from older systems, said Tarraneh Eftekhari, an astronomer at Northwestern who led one of the studies and coauthored the other. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said North Korea might be using a vertical cold-launch system to fire the missiles. —

Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for system

Recent Examples of Synonyms for system

Noun

For perspective, the company has been seeing more demand in the last year from areas such as optical networks, IP networks, and submarine networks.

— Trefis Team, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Five of the Fed’s seven governors voted in favor of leaving the network, including Chair Jerome Powell.

— Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025