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

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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 During my tenure in the Senate, the nuclear waste debate was front and center—dominated by Yucca Mountain and whether to proceed with construction and licensing, how to do so safely, and what to do in the meantime. —

Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 After notice to proceed, construction is expected to last approximately four years, with project completion scheduled for spring 2029. —

Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 The Novavax decision suggests the Trump administration may already have decided how to proceed in advance of that meeting. —

Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025 What else to know as the Hockey Canada trial moves on: The case will now proceed as a judge-only trial, with Carroccia responsible for hearing evidence and coming to a verdict. —

Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 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
Enter Ketamine To confirm the finding, the team did the experiment again.

— Jon Hamilton, NPR, 4 June 2025

Definition of do

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“Proceed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proceed. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 8 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of proceed

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