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proceed

verb
pro·​ceed | \ prō-ˈsēd How to pronounce proceed (audio) , prə-\
proceeded; proceeding; proceeds

Definition of proceed

intransitive verb

1 : to come forth from a source : issue strange sounds proceeded from the room
2a : to continue after a pause or interruption
b : to go on in an orderly regulated way
3a : to begin and carry on an action, process, or movement
b : to be in the process of being accomplished the work is proceeding well
4 : to move along a course : advance
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about proceed

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Synonyms & Antonyms for proceed

Synonyms

advance, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go, go along, go off, march, pace, progress

Antonyms

remain, stand, stay, stop

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Choose the Right Synonym for proceed

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence. spring implies rapid or sudden emerging. an idea that springs to mind 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 originate implies a definite source or starting point. the fire originated in the basement derive implies a prior existence in another form. the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception. words flowed easily from her pen issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet. blood issued from the cut emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source. reports emanating from the capital proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause. advice that proceeds from the best of intentions stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development. industries stemming from space research

Examples of proceed in a Sentence

Tenet's problem is that the intelligence and the war proceeded in lockstep: no intelligence, no war. — Thomas Powers, New York Review of Books, 19 July 2007 But we're both gasping, and proceed to play the ugliest, slowest game in history. — S. L. Price, Sports Illustrated, 31 Dec. 2007 That ash includes light particles that strong winds proceed to carry over much of the country … — Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005 After the interruption, she proceeded with her presentation. “Before we proceed further, does anyone have any questions?” We will proceed according to plan. We may not be able to proceed as planned. The problems have been fixed and the work can now proceed. All passengers must proceed to the baggage claim area. The crowd proceeded toward the exits. The troops proceeded north along the river.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The Argentine national hero whipped in a stunning goal versus Greece at USA 1994 and - fuelled with more than just adrenaline - proceeded to race towards the touchline. — SI.com, "8 of the Most Controversial Celebrations in Football History," 12 Sep. 2019 The cameras capture images and video of vehicles proceeding through intersections once the light has turned red. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Risky intersections: 10 crossroads where the highest numbers of cars run red lights," 11 Sep. 2019 But Bolton left the White House, and the briefing proceeded without him. — BostonGlobe.com, "Bolton saw his job as stopping Trump from making unwise agreements. “While John Bolton was national security adviser for the last 17 months, there have been no bad deals,” a person close to Bolton said minutes after the president’s announcement on Tuesday, reflecting the ousted adviser’s view.," 11 Sep. 2019 The resident recognized this as a scam and did not proceed with the transaction. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Northbrook resident reports burglar inside home following dog barking: Police," 10 Sep. 2019 The attorney representing Tyndall before the medical board, Peter R. Osinoff, said the state had denied a request to put Tyndall’s license revocation proceeding on hold until after his criminal trial. — Alex Wigglesworthstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Former USC gynecologist who was accused of abusing patients surrenders his medical license," 9 Sep. 2019 Further Reading With Artemis, NASA at risk of repeating Apollo mistakes, scientist warns That NASA is not proceeding at a business-as-usual pace may in part explain why Gerstenmaier is gone. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Amid questions about leadership, NASA is “close” to making a key hire," 9 Sep. 2019 Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that the expansion could proceed. — Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, "Back to School Reform," 8 Sep. 2019 Loraine met and married the love of her life and best friend, Bob Hunting, on November 20, 1955 then proceeded to graduate from Stockton College in 1956. — orlandosentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 9/8," 8 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proceed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of proceed

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for proceed

Middle English proceden, from Anglo-French proceder, from Latin procedere, from pro- forward + cedere to go — more at pro-

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More Definitions for proceed

proceed

verb
How to pronounce proceed (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of proceed

: to continue to do something
: to continue being done
: to do something after you have done something else

See the full definition for proceed in the English Language Learners Dictionary

proceed

verb
pro·​ceed | \ prō-ˈsēd How to pronounce proceed (audio) \
proceeded; proceeding

Kids Definition of proceed

1 : to go forward or onward : advance The plane stopped in Chicago before proceeding to Boston.
2 : to begin and continue with an action or process … Grayson took the mound and proceeded to pitch …— Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee
3 : to go or act by an orderly method

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